CL

Movin on up....

2006-09-07T23:10:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody!

As promised this site is going away, so as the old is gone (sorta) and the new has come. The domain has changed...

Mark this page:

Letters From The Journey

It is almost completely updated and will be finished very soon, with more, better stuff.

Shalom!

What it be?

2006-09-01T13:57:00.000-05:00

Today you'll notice I updated my blog with my new podomatic account. You can download and subscribe to my sermons online and listen right here from my blog.

And now for something completely different:

I was tagged about a month ago, has it really been that long and here is my response.

1. One book that changed your life:
Jewish New Testament Commentary - David Stern - what can I say? I'm a nerd.

2. One book that you've read more than once:
AquaChurch Len Sweet

3. One book you'd want on a desert island:
The More Better Book, Funny things that Kids say.

4. One book that made you laugh:
The Purpose Driven Church - oh you didn't ask whick book made me sick?

5. One book that made you cry:
Blue Like Jazz, it was that funny.

6. One book you wish had been written:
How to Have Everything you Want and More Case it's all about you. Oh wait it was written, "Your Best Life Now" - sorry.

7. One book you wish had never been written:
"Adrift" or is it "AJoke"

8. One book you're currently reading:
Foolishness to The Greeks - Newbigin

9. One book you've been meaning to read:
The Purpose Driven Life - I need me some purpose, on purpose yall.

10. Tag five others:
Blue Cow
Purple Cow
Yellow Cow
Green Cow
Pink Cow
Sorry I am too busy these days to be as active in the old blog world....Which brings up other questions about you actually reading this blog....nevermind...have a good day.

Roomba and Sermons

2006-08-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

I know, it's been a long time since I have posted. I have a bunch of excuses as to why I haven't posted lately, but what's the point? You've heard all of my excuses before you know I am good at that, so here quickly are a couple of things that have been going down around here with me.

I am preaching a series right now called "Tapping the Line."

As you might have guessed it's about prayer, it's a twelve weeker and we're not quite half way through it. If you are interested in listening you can check me out soon at chrislockhart.podomatic.com.
I am having some issues getting it set, but I will soon, so go ahead and subscrie - if you want, and sermons will be there very soon.

In other news, we bought a Roomba last week, that thing is awesome, it might be the best thing since sliced bread - true story.

Speaking of true story - you should check this out www.myspace.com/atruestoryband

More soon...

On a journey of newness...

2006-07-18T19:59:00.000-05:00

It's true. The last few weeks have been new to me in many ways. Not only the fact that we moved from Mobile to McDonough, GA, the fact that we started a new work with a new church, or the fact that God has amazed us over the last few weeks with what He has done in our lives. But for me this new journey has already taught me something else. I've learned that not only does God have a sense of humor, but in teaching us and asking us to stretch our faith He allows us to realize that regardless of what is going on He is in control.

I know, saying that is so cliche, I mean you could turn on your television and hear Joel Osteen spill that big boy for you about eighteen times during his minithesis on "How to make life all about you." But the truth is, no matter how you slice it, God is reenforcing in my mind that He is in control.

Tonight we are hosting a political candidacy celebration for one of the local political candidates. I know some of you have different thoughts about allowing political candidates access to your building for personal political reasons, but there are people from our community here in our facilitiy right now, and that's what matters to me the most right now. A few minutes ago I walked out of the "celebration," I am in the office, I had to make a few phone calls to some people. As I sit here right now, know that I am updating my blog to balls bouncing off of the wall next to my desk; children slinging balls to the wall in a game of wall ball or something of the sort. Nothing says lack of concentration and headaches like wallball on your office wall.

Back to the journey, right now we have been in a series called "A People On The Way," inspired by Tim Woodruff. To me Tim is one of the best preachers of the gospel and yet He isn't given the "out loud" credit for being the communicator that he is. The series centers on the idea that we are a people on a journey, an unsettled people seeking to follow God wherever He might lead. In preparing these lessons, God has spoken to me in fresh and new ways and I am thankful. Actually, I am amazed at how God has used the sermon prep time to give me a better understanding and vision of how I have been called to live my life. The series ends on July 30th and we begin a new 13 week series called "Tapping The Line" about prayer.

Susan and Hayden are doing well, we are blessed to have Susan's mom, also called "MiMi" here with us while we prepare to transition Hayden in to a new school environment, which we are also very nervous about. Please pray for us on that front, Daddy (me) is struggling with all of this. Also pray for the selling of our house in Mobile, we took a huge leap of faith to follow God's lead and join Him in His work here in Henry County. In that huge leap it could mean making two house payments come September, we're learning a lot.

May God be with you as you seek Him on your journey!

Still Going...

2006-06-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

There are so many things that I could talk about right now. I feel bad for not updating more often, I just haven't been near my computer enough to sit down and blog about anything. Don't worry though, coming soon you'll see lots of changes here and I hope more, better updating...So until then, here is a snapshot of what has been happening:

1 - This Sunday is my frst Sunday at Calvary. I am really excited about the transition, God has great things in store for this church. We're looking forward to working with so many awesome people in Stockbridge!

2 - We officially move in to our new house on July 6th.

3 - We still haven't sold our current house.

4 - Susan's parents get to Mobile on Thursday, lots of packing going on.

5 - Hayden is growing like crazy right now, she is also doing and saying some extremely funny things.

6 - Went to camp two weeks ago, that was fun. I am going to miss camp.

7 - Susan, Hayden, and I visited "People of Mars Hill" on Sunday. We really enjoyed it. More soon.

8 - Pray for my family in all of this transition, it's exciting, but it has definitely been a test of faith at times.

Have a great week!!!

One Step Closer...

2006-06-04T16:33:00.000-05:00

Today the announcement was made to our entire church about Susan and I moving to Georgia. Many people came up to us and had things to say about it. All very kind and encouraging. It is amazing to me how many people see this as the right move for us, just further confirmation of God's will in all of this. It was sad in many ways, but ultimately we are excited about the transition.

Right now we are at a friends house as there is about a half hour left on our open house. We are praying that we will get an offer very soon on it. It's a time full of anticipation for us as God continues to open many doors for us.

More soon....

Have a great week!!!

And the can is open...

2006-05-31T21:38:00.000-05:00

Over the last few weeks I have asked everyone to pray for my family regarding what I and some others term "creamed corn" translation - personal things that affect personal and family life and are not always open to be shared immediately. But tonight, I opened the can, finally.

Tonight we had our typical Wednesday night gathering at PC, although tonight was less than typical. We spent some time reflecting on what Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 3

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time build."

I don't believe that this statement could be any more absolute in my life than it is right now, based on the way we have seen God work recently.

So, I went on to explain to our group that my families last official Sunday at Port City will be June 18th in order to give us time to get ready for our transition as I have accepted the role of Senior Minister at Calvary Christian Church.

I think many of our teens were surprised by this move, so over the next few days I will meet with as many of them individually as possible.

It is a sad time, yet a happy time.

A time of concern and a time of exuberance.

Ultimately, our family is just seeking to follow God on this journey to be a part of something larger than ourselves. It's exciting and new.

We're ready though. God has blessed during our time in Mobile, and we pray that He will bless Port City with even greater blessings than He has before.

I will post more on this later, as I need time to talk to God and sort of deal in my own way with of all of this. It is a lot of emotion for us, but God will be our strength and our beacon of light.

If you would stop right now and say a prayer for Port City, for Calvary and for my family. This is going to be an exciting new journey for all of us and we desperately need the cover of the Lord.

Thanks again to all of you for your prayers!

An update a day keeps....

2006-05-25T16:06:00.000-05:00

There is a lot going on with Susan and I right now, more of which I will talk about next week. I guess you could say the "creamed corn" I asked you to pray about has almost been resolved. Thankfully God knows all about it and has opened some amazing doors for our family, I'll say more later.

I talked to one of my friends today who will "remain" silent to protect the guilty and he said that I should put just a paragraph up each day and then more people would read my blog. Isn't that what you said John? Ooops! Cats out of the bag. Well I enjoy posting on my blog and I am excited about some of my newer readers (Hey Larry!) and friends. So I will leave you today with an exciting thought that I recently read in "The Monday Morning Church." by Jerry Cook!

"Christ's own incarnation teaches us that "incarnational Christianity" can only be accomplished by persons, not institutions. This is not to devalue institutions or organizations. It is to say, however, that the person of Jesus can only be clearly communicated through the people in whom he dwells."

It's an interestng thought, you may have even heard it before. But what does it mean to you, and does it mean enough to each us to live our lives that way? If so, what does that look like?

Ponder, have a great week!

Never fails...

2006-05-20T07:29:00.000-05:00

Susan and I are out of town right now. We are in Atlanta. I woke up this morning to get a shower and realized.....

I forgot my shorts...

Ah, such is life when you're me...

I must be neat or not really...

2006-05-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

I use this thing called tracksy to tell me where everyone is from who checks my blog, it tells me how many visits individuals make and what times etc, etc.

So I just want to give a shout out to my visitor from Montgomery, he/she has visitied like 48 times in one day! Thanks for stopping by. You're my visitor of the month, even though I don;t know your name - leave a comment, it's fun!

Have a great week everyone!

And there you go...

2006-05-15T13:37:00.000-05:00

So, I have had some conversations with some folks about what I was talking about on my last blog post. Well I recently read an article that I found here. Basically, it pretty much sums it up...

Feel free to talk amongst yourselves...

"Bible Bielieving Churches" by Joseph E. Boggs

We've all heard someone say it...maybe we've even said it ourselves - "I attend a Bible believing church." Usually it's spoken with a sense of pride, as if the person speaking attends the only Bible believing church in the world. Many times it's spoken while looking down our nose at the person to whom we are speaking. And sometimes it is even said with sincerity and honesty and the best of intentions. However it is said, we've all heard someone (or many people) utter this sentence. Whenever I hear someone say it, I want to ask one question: As opposed to what? Are there really a bunch of non-Bible believing churches out there? Is my church one of them? Am I in danger of the fires of hell because I don't attend your church, the one that believes the Bible? If I were to guess, many people would answer by laying out for me their church's interpretations of the hot button social issues (i.e. abortion, homosexuality, immigration, etc.) and how those interpretations and those interpretations alone are biblical. For example, I could ask an attender of a Bible believing church, "Why is your church 'Bible-believing?" The response could well look like this, "Well, we believe that being gay is the most damnable of all sins and that abortion is murder and that God is an American and blah blah blah." So-called Bible believing churches are more defined by their social stance and rhetoric than any true allegiance to the Bible. What if there was an alternative? What if there was something more than simply being a "Bible believing church?" What if, instead of focusing on verbal arguments about what the Bible says or doesn't say, we focused on vocational actions - putting into practice the things Jesus calls us to do? What if instead of being Bible believers, we became Bible behavers. A Bible behaving church would look a whole lot different from a Bible believing church. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what it would look like or even if we would be able to recognize it. But wouldn't it be amazing to attend a church and be a part of a community that was more concerned with actions than arguments - with grace than judgment? Think about it...

Joseph E. Boggs is an associate pastor at a somewhat conservative church in NW Indiana. He grew up in the "modern" church, but says he is slowly beginning to identify with and develop dialogue within the emerging context. To contact Joe you can find him here Pastor Joe ...always used by permission.."

Givin' me the what for....

2006-05-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

What for?

That's a good question.

Well, me. That's the answer.

The other answer - not you...

Other answers include:

My thoughts - though never perfect or even right many times - still mine, and just because their mine and not yours doesn't make them wrong or right.

My heart - I am sharing it. In this world of hiding things because you are afraid of what others might think or say. I am not afraid to share my heart, that's what I'm doing.

As a release - sharing part of what is happening in and with my life is pretty cathartic to me. It's real and honest, some people are afraid of real honest vulnerability. I am too, but I'm trying.

The point - This is what my blog is for, read at your own risk, feel free to comment what you'd like, I'm a big boy. If you don't like what I say, you are not required to stop by.

Have a great week!

Big Kids and being bigger...

2006-04-27T10:47:00.000-05:00

It's official. She's done it.

Since before Hayden was born Susan and I have been talking about what kind of "big girl bed" we might get for Hayden when she is old enough to sleep in one. I think after much debate and discussion we decided to go for a trundle bed. Susan just loves the idea of a trundle. She likes the way it would pull out for little sleepovers and plus it isn't as large as a full bed. Thus, it wouldn't take up as much space in the room. We had decided that we would go out when Hayden got a little closer to three and start looking for one, but we'd keep our eye open for a good deal in the meantime.

Well, I guess the meantime showed up about two months ago, when Susan reports to me that a girl she works with has a distressed white twin sleigh trundle that she recently bought but they can't use because it is too big for their little girls room. So, naturally we go and look at it and to make a long story short, it was an OK deal so we bought it. The day we bought it Hayden was only about 27 months old. Not quite old enough to sleep in the bed. Plus we knew we would have to buy the mattresses for it. We decided to just put it in the garage and wrap it up really well until Hayden was old enough to sleep on it. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Well, last week when my Dad was in town, he insisted that he go ahead and buy mattresses for Hayden's new bed. Now, I love my Dad and I am certainly not about to argue with this idea, knowing the cost of matresses. I lovingly thanked my Daddy and the mattresses were delivered at the end of the week. Well as I said, I know it's going to be a while before we put this bed together. However, something happened on the way to me assuming we'd stick to the plan. Susan's Dad was in town, wanting to stay busy around here (which I also love, by the way) and next thing I know we've repainted Hayden's bedroom, set up the bed and have a huge order on the way from Pottery Barn Kids.

Then Tuesday night it happened. We had all of Hayden's bed things on her brand new bed and she was no longer content to stay in her toddler bed. With great acclamation around bedtime Hayden states - "Hayden sleep in big girl bed!" And there it is. I'll never be the same. My little baby for the last two nights has slept in her big girl bed. What is happening to my little darling? Where is she going? Why is she so quicky growing up? She is now 29 months old, and in a big girl bed at night. I am so proud of the little girl she is becoming, we still have a long way to go but, wow!

In other news, each day when I drop Hayden off at day care she is usually so big about letting Daddy go. She ususally shouts with a big voice - "Bye Daddy - I La You!" And with a big hug and kiss I melt and depart. Well over the last few weeks something else has been happenning. See there is this sweet little boy whose mother Susan also works with and his name is Sam. Sam is an amazing little boy who is almost three. He might be one of the sweetest little guys I have ever known, just an amazing child. Well, each time he catches Hayden giving me a kiss and a hug or when I say to Hayden, "Daddy has to go, bring him his hugs and kisses." Sam comes too. And each time he gives me a hug and a kiss. Everytime he does it, I am so encouraged and it makes dropping off Hayden that much sweeter.

Today, it got me thinking. What if I was more like that in my own life, with people I only know a little bit? I am not saying I or anyone else should go around kissing others at random, actually you could probably be jailed for such a move. But you know how much would it make someones day? I also realized that for many people, including myself, people would be so scared and afraid for something like that to happen they wouldn't know how to respond and probably from fear of rejection from others they would make a big deal out of it even when it really wasn't. The point is, I think we need more of little hearts like Sam's. It's gotta be why Jesus was so fond of little children. Their innocence, their openness, their authenticity, their joy, their generousity, even what our society would call their naivity. Today I realized, I want to be just like Sam.

Family fun!

2006-04-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

Susan and I have had family of some sort here since Thursday before Easter. They all have just left. Someone once told me that family is like fish; it's great for the first couple of days, but after that it starts to stink a little bit.
I don't actually feel that way about my family. I really live it when they are all here with us. They are all great people. I am thankful that all of my family goes to great lengths to get along with each other. That's not to say that we're not real with each other, but I am proud of the fact that we always try to put each other first. It's really cool!

Easter was great this year, Hayden had a blast! We have one of those families where both sides think that the kids should get gifts for Easter, not just a basket or a new dress, but something cool to play with - kind of like Christmas. It's neat, but I don;t want Hayden thinking that every time a holiday of any kind comes around, she should have a present. It's challenging to bring that balance home and to life in a two year olds mind. Onward...

Blogger isn't letting me upload pictures today, I'll try that later...

A little before Easter Susan and I bought Hayden "resurrection Eggs" she loved them.. She has played with them and read the story again and again. Now I am not a huge fan of church marketing and these seem, at first glance to be a ploy, but I actually think they have value in an experiential way for Hayden to learn about the cross of Jesus.

On another not, I had to get new glasses today. That has to be the most expensive thing in the world. Ohhhhh, Ouch on the pocketbook!!!

Lot's of things going on, on the creamed corn front, I will post soon, I have a busy week ahead as our teens prepare to do the famine.

May God fill your week with blessings and a clearer understanding of who He is!!

Quite Starkly...

2006-03-23T15:31:00.000-06:00

Did you ever just have one of those moments where you go, "Hey, I need to _______?"
That was me about five minutes ago when I realized I have managed to forsake my blog - again. So, a quick, short note and I'll return later...

I have been working out almost everyday at SportPlex, this cool place here in Mobile that takes my money and lets me hurt myself more and more each day. Secretly, I don't think it's hurting as much as I think it's hurting....I know, that makes very little sense. It's part of the new me series I am doing around these parts. The series has been ongoing for a while, but I just decided that it's time to add some muscle to the process (OK Susan decided)

Just finished two more classes. I need a brain break - Not going to happen.

When I return, I'll tell you my story about resurrection eggs...

Things are going well here and I appreciate your prayers....I hope to have my creamed corn resolved soon...

Talk amongst yourselves...

Frankly (nonfrankly speaking)...

2006-03-12T22:36:00.000-06:00

Lately, I've just felt like blogging a bit more.

Tonight, Susan and Hayden and I went to Pascagoula for an areawide youth gathering at Central. I got to sing with Power of Praise which I really enjoyed. I don't get a lot of opportunitites to sing on our praise team at Port City for reasons it would take a full blog to share. We'll just say I have the ability, but the opportunity limits itself due to my ministry role there and honestly my personal choice.
So, singing songs of praise with people who are interested in giving God glory is fun.

I continue to have some stark realizations in my life about my current ministry and about some folks that I lay my heart out for week after week. I am going to be general to protect the guilty but here are some things I am saddened by:

I don't like it when some of our teens find better things to do, then fellowship with their church family.
I don't like it when parents don't support our ministry - maybe unknowingly - maybe not.
I don't like it when the kids you really encourage as best you can, basically turn on you.
I don't like it when certain people are allowed to do whatever they want and never be held accountable for it (on earth)
I am not sure that an open and authentic ministry is possible in this city.
I am not perfect and miss a lot of things blindly, but today wasn't my best day.

Bless.

Whatnot...

2006-03-11T20:59:00.000-06:00

So, thanks to everyone who has been praying about my "creamed corn." As soon as I can, I will talk more about it, but know that God and I are in much discussion over the issue and he knows, really, really well. So, thanks again.

Susan and Hayden and I had a really great time at Disney. I will post some pictures from the event later and some of my personal ponderings.

Tonight is one of those nights. Susan is kinda sick, actually she has been sick for the last few weeks. She works in a school, so she has gotten used to dealing with little viruses and such. It seems like lately she has really struggled with her health. Part of that I know is related to me and things I am doing and dealing with, but I also know all of the little kids she tests all week long surely don't help matters.

So, tonight here I am. Pondering things. I am pondering things like should I move to wordpress? I am also pondering about what to say to the little ones in children's church tomorrow. I have long considered myself a man with many talents, you know Jack of all trades, master of none, but I have recently realized one fact, I am not a children's minister type. I just don't have the gifts. I love kids, but I find it a bit difficult to really get down on their level. I have to think just way too hard about it. It's way too forced, I'll stick with ministry to folks just a bit older.

I am supposed to be studying for my Theology class right now, you know the one I posted about before (I am way too lazy to get the link, but it isn't far back, if you're interested.) I am really enjoying this class. We are all split into groups to discuss different theological issues. This week was women's roles. Man I love it! I won't tell you my opinion on the matter, I'll let you wonder, although I would bet that if you have read here very much, you probably know what I think - at least generally. One thing is for sure, there were a couple of ladies in my group, who really didn't like what I thought about the issue. Which, by the way, is I guess, a little bit suprising. Either way, that's what makes things so interesting.

So, you've noticed I am rambling, if you've stuck it out this long God bless you.
Have a great Sunday!

May I ask...

2006-03-09T11:40:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone!

If you would please pray about this:

...I'll share more when I am at official liberty, but please for now just pray for me. I have some creamed corn I NEED your help with. Thanks.

Out for lunch...

2006-02-23T16:08:00.000-06:00

So, this week has been a really wild and crazy week for me. I have been prepping to go out of town next week. Something that in my job is never that much fun, especially when you get back and get to deal with and hear....Oh nevermind. The point is I am excited about taking a vacation, a real vacation. This will be the first vacation we have taken since we moved to Mobile over three years ago. When Susan and I were growing up our families idea of a vacation was going and working in granny's yard for four days and stopping at the lake on the drive home, sounds like a mission trip to me. Anyway, I want Hayden to experience a real vacation (wow, do I sound like a big consumeristic whiner or what?!) I mean don't get me wrong, I am better for those experiences but I think a balance would have been healthier for our family.

So, we leave tomorrow afteroon to hang out with our friend Walt, Hayden is going to like him, she's never met him before.

So a side Disney funny:

Hayden has gotten really into a bunch of the Disney princesses, while we are at disney we will attend a couple of events with princesses. Her two favorite right now are Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. I think they are cool too, the only problem is, well, she's two and has a great vocabulary and pronunciation for many words but these are two names we just can't get down. Typically, this is what we end up with: Snow White = "No Wipe," Sleeping Beauty = "Stinky Booty." It's true. So she walks arouund the house saying, "Daddy Ina see no wipe stinky booty."
The first time Susan and I heard this we nearly fell over, I am sorry that's just funny!
Take that where you want...The beauty and innocence of two.

Let's Review...

2006-02-10T08:57:00.000-06:00

As some of you may or may not know, I am taking classes. I will always be taking classes, it probably will never end. I have many desires and educational goals, but who knows if I will ever reach them all, I probably will.
Anyway, I am enrolled in Liberty Universities Distance Program, I like it, it's really challenging, it is making me think about what I believe - outside of what I learned at FU or HCU. Mainly because, well Liberty is a school with a Baptist heritage, I am really enjoying the classes in a way like never before and I actually feel challenged, not that I haven't before, but this is just well...Different.
Right now I am in a Theology class and we are in the opening stages and reviewing some things about soteriology - the study of salvation. Calvinism and Arminianism are challenging theories, especially for someone who has a CoC education and background, it just doesn't seem like we talked about these much in the restoration college settings. Anyway, this week I had to read an article by a man named Terrance Tiessen, the article was about Divine Justice and Universal Grace. The concept was to review/critique the article and then type up a conclusion - all of which is to be shared with an entire work group. The critique was easy, let's face it, I come from a critics background. For some reason though, I had a harder time with the conclusion, you know sharing my concluding thoughts about the article. I know you don't have the whole article in front of you, but I want to share my conclusion here, it's a bit off the wall maybe. Maybe my professor isn't going to be overly impressed, maybe it wasn't exactly what he was looking for, but in my heart and in all honesty it's all that I could muster, see what you think...

As I review the Article, “Divine Justice and Universal Grace: A Calvinistic Proposal by Terrence Tiessen" I am asked to think about what I believe regarding God’s calling to man. Will God overlook those who have not “heard” the gospel, and accept them as “saved” based on his own willingness that “not one should perish?” I am not sure. In this answer, I know it sounds much like someone who doesn’t have all of the answers or like someone who hasn’t studied the issue. Well, that isn’t true. My response is not one of not knowing the facts, I could argue about God’s grace and willingness to save all men, I could share that I believe God will not allow those who don’t know of Him to make it in to heaven. But to me, this is not an issue of the right answers or knowing God’s judgment, which we know, none of us can. It is a question of being comfortable with God’s sovereignty. Am I comfortable to accept that I don’t know all of the answers but God does? The answer is yes. I realize this is a study in an attempt to find concrete reasons to believe one way or another, but I can’t say that I do. Some would say that is wishy washy, others might say that this an irresponsible response to God’s truths and that it is even too propositional in nature. I believe that this is me responsibly accepting that God is God and I am not, and that I was not put here to be a theological answering machine, but that I am to give an account of my willingness to seek God’s commands, and live them out in the context of daily life and be ever willing to share the hope and good news that is Jesus to all that I come in to contact with. Over the last six months I have spent much time along the gulf coast region of our country, and through that time I have come to see that God’s commands to me rest more clearly in places like Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus shares the account of allowing the Kingdom of God to break in to this plane in an incarnational way. I have seen the brokenness of people in pain over tragedy and heartache and I know that my God has mercy upon them. May we all as followers of Christ seek to realize that God’s grace is sufficient for all of our shortcomings and weaknesses and may we realize that this is the ministry of the cross.

Have a great weekend, would you?

Added 2.11.06 - I just got news from my instructor, he gave me a 100 on the work. That's pretty neat.

Onward and becoming...

2006-02-08T08:46:00.000-06:00

I recently got this note from one of the teens in our youth group...

"hey chris, i just wanted to tell you that coming to pc is the best thing that has ever happened to my life, and becoming a christian is awesome..."

There is this sense that I have always gotten, that somehow Christianity is about what you did to get where you got. In other words, once you become a Christian, through baptism, then there you were. You had it, nothing else to do...

Over the few years, I have had my world rocked! It's been rocked by a passion that has been our Church "battle cry."
It's this one:

Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I have been turning that baby around in my head for a very long time. Up and down I have gone, just over and over. I guess the reason it's gotten me going is because of what it says...

You know, "go and (1) make disciples" and (2)" baptizing them."

Now this issue in my mind, is not my own personal theological debate about the specificity of the text. My issue is one of ordering.

1 - The order in which Jesus shares this thought:

1 - make disciples
2 - Baptizing them

If what Jesus is saying is what he really meant, then I have to think two things:

(The disclaimer is: this might rock your world a little bit ;-))

1 - Discipleship is the process that starts well before we are "baptized" or to take it one step further, "become Christians" this is hard to believe, I know. Not to mention that discipleship is an art of becoming and ultimately the journey never ends, I know most folks (I'd like to think...) would agree with that statement.
And...

2 - You actually can know Jesus before you are ever "baptized." Or even baptism in itself holds more for our own personal benefit than it did for Jesus, a ceremonial cleansing if you will. (OK, for some folks who read my blog, this is a big deal because, in my tradition, that is not a widely held sentiment.)

Keep in mind, I am not trying to stir a debate on whether or not baptism is an essential part of becoming a disciple, I'll let the text speak for itself. I guess I, like so many others, continue on a journey of what it is Jesus is trying to accomplish through words and statements like this one.

As I finish out this text, Jesus shares that each disciple might learn the commands, that He has already taught his followers.

Commands like:

Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, mind and strength.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Commands that I feel are made less important because of the rituals and traditions we sometimes cling to. As a matter of fact I would venture to say that many would even view these as secondary teachings of Jesus, (although maybe not intentionally) less important than certain scriptural examples or acts more specific to the time and culture.

As I read the note I was sent by one of our teens, that sentence struck me, and it resonated in my mind because, to me these are the elementary teachings of Jesus. These are the basics.
Yet they are so full of challenge and truly are "deep" to me. The note that was sent to me, while part of it may have been grammatically incorrect, I think it hits the point right on, "becoming a christian is awesome!"

I am "becoming" what God wants me to be. I am not there yet, but I pray that "becoming" more like Jesus is what happens for me. I also pray that God will continue to help the guy who shared this with me, to continue to "become" the "christian" that God wants him to be. Sometimes I am afraid that in our becoming we have already become what we want and maybe have become less interested in what God wants us to become...

Interestingly Interesting...

2006-02-07T15:57:00.000-06:00

I am not one to send out e-mail forwards, actually I pretty much don't like them at all! I got this FW today, and since I don't forward e-mails, I thought I would post this here. It's interesting, maybe it will bring you a laugh, a sarcastic laugh, but a laugh either way....

(1) Zero GravityWhen NASA started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered thatball-point pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat this problem, NASAscientists spent a decade and $12 billion developing a pen that writes inzero gravity, upside-down, on almost any surface including glass and attemperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300 C.The Russians used a pencil. Your taxes are due again--enjoy paying them.

(2) Our Constitution"They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we justgive them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, and it'sworked for over 200 years.And, we're not using it anymore."

(3) Ten CommandmentsThe real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse isthat you cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal," "Thou Shalt Not CommitAdultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges andpoliticians .It creates a hostile work environment.

WWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

2006-01-13T11:47:00.000-06:00

I have decided that I do not like it when I open someone's blog and it has music embedded in it. I just don't like it. Even when I open up someone's blog that I have been to before and I already know and have experienced it's music, regardless of that, it still scares the business out of me. It just always seems to catch me off guard and since I leave my sound on (and that's probably part of the issue) there you go. I know that's weird, but there I am.

That is all for now, have a great day!

To be real or not to be....

2006-01-10T13:01:00.000-06:00

Once in a great while I get to speak at Mobile Christian School here in town for chapel. The chapel services are split in to two different services. One for middle school and one for high school teens; each lasts about fifteen minutes.
I don't get the opportunity very often, but from time to time I do. Since I get the opportunity so infrequently I often beat myself about the brain to figure out what to talk about. I have this internal struggle that says - be funny, be balanced, but mostly be real and very honest. Well for the middle school chapel I spoke about the choosing of King David, I used an illustration of three beautiful bags, one large, one medium and one small. I had three different volunteers come up and take bags and not look inside them until I told them to. In each bag I placed a different article, in the large bag I placed an old receipt and a pencil and some other trash. In the middle-sized bag I placed a small t-shirt and in the smallest bag I put in a ten dollar bill. These are middle schoolers, so my main objective was to get them to see the old "you can't read a book by it's cover" thing, reading 1 Samuel 16:7. And to apply it in their lives with each other. At the end I shared what I bad job I have done with this in my own life, and shared some funny stories and examples, overall I think they understood what I was saying, and probably really identified with it and were hopefully in some way encouraged.

In continuing to wrestle with this thought I decided that sharing that message with the high school group, even though I knew they could use it, would probably not be as strong. So I basically decided to allow the spirit to guide me through a discussion of what I blogged about yesterday. I said some funny things, told the story about the handbag and then began reading from John 15, after that I found myself in John 13:34 and then finally in Matthew 5.

Now, in my attempt to be "funny, balanced, and real" I found myself with an audience so deeply connected that you could break the intensity in the room with a hammer. I asked them to consider what MCS would look like if we lived out John 15:12, and John 13:34, and Matthew 5? I saw people squirming, I saw people looking at me like, "I can't believe you are going there."
Yeah, today somehow, by the power of the Spirit I went there, I spoke about Jesus never qualifying anyone before he loved them , and that we needed to stop sizing people up before offering them love and friendship. And I shared about how I have miserably failed at this.

I know the teens at MCS get a lot of stuff thrown at them about how they are wrong and they have to be perfect and sinless, and I know it annoys them, because people come as if, "I am so perfect." I would be annoyed too. One time a guy even stood before them and said, "If you aren't a member of the Church of Christ, you have no place in heaven." That was a stellar day, trust me.
So, I try to be very mindful of what I say to them, I want to do it in a way that challenges them, makes them uncomfortable but yet also helps them realize that God is seeking to build a relationship with them that will bring them life and that by knowing and seeking God's will and living his principles their lives will be better ones.
Immediately after the talk I noticed that some kids wouldn't talk to me. If you know our situation, then you know why what I said might encourage some of them to avoid me, some of them did and in a big way. I left there wondering if that wasn't Satans way of trying to discourage me, I think it was. I often think about what it is that God wants from me in these situations. I pray today that I was used to encourage and share a message of hope with somebody. Only time will tell as to what the response was or will be.

May God allow us to always "go there" even when it isn't the most popular thing and even when Satan attacks after it's been done.

In Da Club...

2006-01-09T16:44:00.000-06:00

I know I heard a song once with that title. I know it has to do with being in a club of sorts, you know like a place you hang out, maybe you dance a bit, whatever floats your boat I guess...I remember thinking about this phrase, "In Da Club" a few months ago.

There are times when I have been at my church and this thought has popped in to my mind...

Mobile, AL is an interesting city.
There is a certain part of it, like many very southern cities, that refuses to change, actually I like the phrase, grow up.
It's funny to me really. I don't quite get it. For us, in Mobile, that area is referred to as where the 08'ers live. The phrase refers to the zip code; that people in that area are typically (I know I'm generalizing and maybe even sound judgmental, but I'm going somewhere) snobbish, very self conscious, and usually somewhat rude, if you aren't from their side of town. Now, when I use the term from, I mean like, born in their zip code - seriously.

My wife Susan went with us two weeks ago to YIA in Birmingham. This is a big deal because Susan doesn't usually do that well with youth trips, she misses our child too much and it's just hard on her. So for a reward, I promised to buy her a Vera Bradley bag. Susan is not totally consumed with herself, thus needing such bag as compensation, but I wanted to do it because she is a good, loving wife and she makes many sacrifices for our family. Thus, last week, the two of us decided to venture out to buy such a bag. So, of course, this search leads us to my favorite part of town, the 0 to the 8. We find ourselves in this fru-fru little frilly shop, which will remain nameless to protect the guilty. At which the moment we walked in and a woman approaches us, with a look as if I am bleeding profusely from my head, and Susan has on no top, and says, "Uh, Hi, uh... can we help you?"
At this moment, I felt dirty. I am not sure why, but I did. Maybe it was because all of the people in the store turned to stare at us. Maybe it was because for that brief moment I was reminded of my own sins. Or should I say for that moment I realized that I have been the store clerk and our church has been the store customers.
My wife and I did go ahead and walk around, for some reason I felt the need to let them know that I was good enough to be in the store as if somehow I would let them know that everyone and anyone was. My wife and I finally walked out, we had this eye contact thing that said, "We ain't buying nothing here."
I realized that day, that that was the worst I had ever felt, and I never wanted to go back to that feeling again. God knew I needed that, I wish there was someway that others could have the feeling that I had that day. Not to make them feel bad, but just so that they could understand the feeling of others when they come into a place and don't feel accepted.

We spend a lot of time talking about accepting others, we teach about it, we say it's important, but I don't think any other lesson could have been as powerful for me as that one was.

I realized how so many people must feel upon entering the church for the first time, how hard it really must be. The fear of not knowing what people would say or how they might act. Isn't this sad that people would worry about how people in a church might act towards them?
Does it say something about the lives that we've made for ourselves outside of a building or Sunday service?

What if we began to treat each other as if we really valued them? In Don Miller's book "Blue Like Jazz" he talks about being reminded that Love isn't a commodity to be sold and traded on the open market. What if we began to live this everyday? In other words, people didn't have to be this or that for us to like or love them.

I struggle with this, Jesus command to us in John 15. "Love each other as I have loved you." I get so frustrated with other people and I don't let them in to my "club." And I'm still miserable. Jesus precedes it with this, "I tell you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

What if I lived this everyday of my life, what would be different? What if our churches lived it?

I guess like Jesus says, I might actually be "complete."

For now...

2005-12-23T08:05:00.000-06:00

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted a response on my last entry. I know that some of you chose to not post and that's OK. The responses I received are encouraging and have caused me to think long and hard about my blog. I guess, the easy thing to do would be to just say some things here and there and be pretty opaque in most of what you see here. But that's really never been my style, so the more I think about it, the more I have decided that I am just going to say what I feel like I need to say here and if it causes someone else a problem, they can come to me (obviously I am not going to say anything about anyone else) and if it continues to bother them, they don't have to read... OK, so that's a little harsh maybe, or even a little more straightforward, or maybe unChristlike? I don't know, I don't really think so, I think it's just honest.
With that being said, I hope you have a great Christmas holiday. I won't be blogging anymore over the next week or so, because this is a really busy time for me. I have to prepare to speak at YIA and at church this week, and some other speaking stuff I'll be doing over the next few weeks.

May God bless you during this season of your life, and may you find peace in the hands of the Father!

Whoa...can I say that here?

2005-12-14T15:29:00.000-06:00

OK So, it's been a few days since I wrote anything here. Thing is I have about six or seven posts in the old "draft" file. I may finish one in a day or two. But right now I would like to share this; A friend of mine recently brought up something on his blog.
He brought up the fact that blogging has become something different than he intended it to be. That he hasn't felt like he could do what he originally wanted to do with His blog. To reflect on his point I'll say this.
When I started my blog it for me was I place I could just lay anything out there. As time has passed to some extent I have become a little more cautious about what I write. I guess I feel like some of the things I say could come back to me, maybe misunderstood and even skewed from what my intent was.
The point is, what does everyone else do? Do you just say what you want on your blog and not worry about it? Have you ever had someone say something to you about your blog and it be someone you least expected?

Taking it one step further - if you read my blog - all three of you - leave me a comment and just say hey. Maybe you could tell me what you think I should talk about here, or what you have enjoyed or not enjoyed. Tell me what you would find most interesting. I am even going to allow anonymous comments from you, just for this post. I pretty much don't usually do that, as I have my own reasoning, but I am just that interested. So hit me with your best shot, inquiring minds want to know...

1, 2, 3, 4, ...8

2005-11-25T21:06:00.000-06:00

Hayden has been doing a lot of funny things lately. She turns two in just about a week, and she constantly blows me a way with her abilities and the fact that she grasps so many things. A sampling from today's activities:

1 - While Hayden was in the tub today Susan was working with her and talking to her about prayer, to which Hayden responds...
"Dea Gawd, Tank yew fo beaw, hurse, piggy, ashe shaw, shees g-sus. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaame-an."

Wanna put this dad into tears? That's the way...

2 - We were leaving Hobby Lobby as we bagan our wild day of after Thanksgving shopping and family time. Hayden begins to say .."I sawy G-sus, I sawy G-sus." Me too, Hayden.

What a powerful example of what I should be more like. It really clears up the statement that Jesus makes..."Unless you become like a little child...."

Dealing with honest feelings...

2005-11-22T13:49:00.000-06:00

Lately I have been sort of wishy washy. I have had a lot feelings and issues raging in my heart for several things and several reasons.
Last night my wife, Susan and I, had the opportunity to get some of those things out in the open. Not so much with each other, but with people who needed to hear it.
It was a time of some healing for us all...

We have struggled for a while...
We have been in a search for authentic, open, loving, and sharing community. Right now we haven't found it. I guess because the place we have been seeking it, just isn't the place that it will be found.
I have learned a lot about myself in the last few months, some day I will share those things, as ugly as they may or may not be. For today, here is what I will do:

I will praise God for my family. My wife Susan and daughter Hayden are His gifts to me.
I will be thankful that my family did not go through a nasty hurricane the way others did and still are.
I will take every opportunity to love others and be to them what Jesus would want me to be; caring, loving, and compassionate.
I will seek to follow Jesus wherever he might lead me.
I will try and give myself away everyday to someone, regardless of who they are or their status.
I will do a very bad job, but will still try, at not being so self-centered.
I will continue to listen for God's voice in all things....

In the end I will rejoice in the fact that I have been redeemed, and that His grace is sufficient for me.

May God grant you the brokeness to see yourself more clearly today.

Marginal at best...

2005-11-18T10:52:00.000-06:00

"If you feel that God doesn't like you and thinks you're not good enough for him, then somewhere along the way someone caused you to think that. The beautiful news is, this is not how God sees you or thinks about you. God knows you need help and hope, that you have sin that needs to be forgiven. But he also knows you have a hugs capacity for love, to understand his love for you.
He longs to show you an untainted picture of what his love looks like. That you would see this man Jesus for who he really is; a person who was marginalized by the religous community - but only because of his geuine love" (Jesus in the Margins - Rick McKinley pg 56)

I became a Christian in Junior High. Yeah, sometimes I can't imagine why.
I think it was mostly because I was scared at the time. I was afraid that God was basically going to send me to hell and soon if I didn't jump on board. I also had this thought that being baptized would help me break the "chain of sin" in my life. Well, it did that, I guess.
For some reason I never understood that Jesus loved me, and that he was really real, I knew he was something, I believe he had some special power that I didn't understand. I guess I just had a hard time seeing him as much more than this distant force that said He loved me, but never showed up to prove it.
It took me years to begin to see Jesus the way he is described here as a someone/ a person/ a Lord who honestly cares for me. He doesn't make me a number or a thing, but it is in Him I have found Reality, Truth.
As I read this book, "Jesus in the Margins", I totally identified with Rick McKinley, his story of living in the margins and finding faith is powerful to me. I think a lot of us live or have lived in the margins. Actually, sometimes I think there is great power in knowing what the margins are like. Almost as if living in the margins is the greatest place to live, because like Jesus, there you find those who "are like sheep without a shepherd."
God is doing something in our world, and I believe what He is doing is turning the margins in to the center of the page. Breaking the chains of "normalcy" and unleashing the upside down kingdom. I am thankful for it, I just want to be along for the ride.

Quote of the Day

2005-11-07T22:43:00.000-06:00

“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do
that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend
Christianity.” (C. S. Lewis, God in the Dock)

A Fairy Princess...

2005-11-07T16:04:00.000-06:00

This is a beautiful Fairy Princess named Hayden. She really is a Princess. Hayden loved dressing up for Halloween, she got upset when tried to take her wings off and loved her shoes too. She went trick or treating for just a few minutes before we went to see Miss Patty Cake.
Did I mention we think Miss Patty Cake is awesome!?

Hayden is the sweetest most loving child I have ever seen. I am sure that's because she's mine, but I am pretty sure that she is the best gift I have ever reicieved.

In the spirit of the month: Lord I am so thankful for this special gift you have given Susan and I. May we bring her up in your light and love and encourage her to freely seek you in every way! Amen

"It" again?

2005-11-03T19:03:00.000-06:00

I got this from my buddy Ken:

" you have been tagged!
The rules:
1. Delve into your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendasÂ
5. Tag five people to do the same. "

After I didn't respond quickly enough for his liking he sent me this: (Which actually, I appreciate, because he did the homework and I didn't really feel like doing it. So, since he did the work, I'll oblige.)

I think this is the 5th sentence in your 23rd post. Do you remember it? I put a comment on your last post asking about this. It's a game of tag, and you haven't acted on it. Do you still feel the same way about your leadership, now?
Thursday, August 19, 2004 8:33 AM
My plethora...
I don't think I have ever felt so supported in my ministry time, ever!"

The statement in question is:

"I don't think I have ever felt so supported in my ministry time, ever!"

Whew!

This is so totally loaded, I went back and actually reread the post for context (it's funny what that does for you, in a lot of cases)

As I reviewed I realized the significance of what I said, and why I said it.

Let me start by saying this; at that time I was feeling really good cause things were going my way.
That is the basis for what I said and why I said it. It's the honest truth.
Am I proud of it? Not really.
Was it true at that time? Yeah.
Is it still true today? Ummm, I'm not so sure that it isn't, but I am not so sure that it is.

I think we all go through difficult times, but honestly my times have been difficultt for a long time.

Is it because of something I did? No

Is it because of something I didn't do? Maybe, maybe not.

Ultimately though, it does have to do with that bold statement up there. Am I totally getting my way right now? No. So, If that makes me feel unsupported then shame on me. If having my way is what life was all about, I'd be a two-faced liar. Because I am always preaching, "it's not about me or you, it's about Him."

I tell everyone we need to live our lives in a way that responds to the gospel message, as if it is the true "good news." Let's live because Jesus lived, not just because He died!

Where am I going?

Over the last few months I have read about many of my blog buddy's who have been/are going through tough, tough times in ministry. Issues, in some cases, similar to mine. I have read as they have gracefully loved God, and encouraged others in the midst of making tough decisions. I am even proud of how they have handled themselves in the light of their circumstances - you know who you are.

So, then do I feel supported right now? No, not totally.

Is some of that my fault? Yeah, probably.

Is it really all about me in the first place? No, not at all.

I am trying to gain proper perspective in my life right now. And I hope and pray I am one step closer.

So, who else is "it?":

DJG
Neal W.
Brian Burkett
Jason Retherford
Amanda Williams

Chew on it...

2005-10-26T10:28:00.000-05:00

So, I really don't have a whole lot of extra time lately. That's just how it is. I am not sure what I can do right now to change that, well I can think of one, but, I like eating....
Knowing these facts that I have much to do, and knowing that I need to be responsible for my own spiritual feeding, cause in my job it's not like I am offered lots of opportunities...that's another post, I'm sure.

I have been trying to take more time to feed myself lately. I just have to. So, I am a bit wierd in regard to what I eat, so I read alot of people like Merton and Nouwen, not to mention trying to bury myself in meditation on certain passages. Doing this really gives me a great a peace and just helps me, I think, to really commune with God.

But, I also like to read guys that get me pumped up like Sweet. So with that being said I have been re-reading "AquaChurch" and here is what I am digesting right now:

"Light illuminates the darkness. If there's darkness, the blame should be attached where it belongs; not to the world that's dark but to the church that is failing to provide the light."(pg. 47)

What a profound statement. I needed that. I really needed that. There is just something about a good kick in the pants that always gets me going...

Thoughts...Concerns...Poems...?

10/14/05 New Tires and Seeking Jesus

2005-10-14T14:37:00.000-05:00

This month has been a tough one for Susan and I not only did we have to put new tires on her car two weeks ago, but we also had to have a new roof put on our house. As I mentioned earlier certainly not the way that one wants a "month" to go.
Fortunately, it didn't hurt us as we were able to use money from our savings to do these things, but it's just the fact that you have to do these things and the fact that you actually have to spend the money that is frustrating. Anyway...enough complaining.
Last weekend we went to Nashvegas for Zoe. What a great time we had, OK sorta, I got sick on Saturday afternoon and we missed the final session of the worship conference, and church on Sunday - sorry about that guys, not to mention Hayden did not enjoy the kids program - Can someone tell me why they would put a 22 month old child in a room with 6 month old infants? Hayden was not impressed, she had no one to engage her, it was basically like really expensive babysitting. I'm not complaining but I definitely didn't know she would be kept in a room with babies all day. I continue to digress, anyway, onward.
So Zoe, was a little more difficult than I thought. I have been decompressing from it for a few days and here are some things I think and I'll get to the point:

1- Missional - yeah, I can see that that is exactly what God has called us to be. Seeking opportunities to be like Jesus to everyone around us.

2- Relational - I have always believed this to be paramount to reaching all of God's children.

3- Incarnational - becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in any environment. I am right on board with this.

These are things I believe in, but I never seem to do a good job of being, I'll leave it at that for this post...

We return from Zoe to Mobile only to find that the roofers have completely reroofed and finished our house. How cool! When we left they hadn't even started.
So, Tuesday I was trying to leave the house when my sweet wife noticed that I had a roofing nail in my tire.
Well, off to Firestone I went, my tires are in great shape so I just needed a patch. When I got to Firestone I found two sweet ladies talking about "church" you know the conversation..."My church this, my pastor that." Sortof like when we were kids we used to say "My daddy is a firemen, well my daddy is a garbage collector.." Don't act like you never did that. We all did, and we did it with great pride and prestige. Basically announcing "My Daddy is the greatest man alive!"

Well, I walked in to such banter at Firestone, quite interesting, I just let them say whatever. One thing I refuse to do is "sell my church" especially to people who already know Jesus, what is the point? That has always seemed to me to be one great way to ask for trouble. I mean Jesus didn't do that.
So the banter continued until finally, one lady said, "Do you know what I hate?" "What?" replied the other lady.

T.V. Preachers.

I am so tired of the health and wealth gospel." She said "it's so watered down and it really doesn't do any body any good." For the first time in the whole conversation my ears begin to ring with absolute agreement with a party in this conversation, and I am engaged.

I think her key word here was "body." When I say body, I mean:

- church body
- physical body
- spiritual body
- any body

It doesn't do any of these bodies any good.
It teaches that God made us to live for us today, that Jesus paying the price on the cross really only had anything to do with us being "happy." Not true. I cannot for one moment reduce the sacrifice of Jesus to my happiness. That isn't it. The health and wealth gospel is not one of watereddowness - is that a word? I can handle water, water is great, as Len Sweet says "it's liquid", I can navigate the liquid, it's where our culture is going, I want to navigate these seas into being able to love my neighbor and share myself with a world that I know God loves.

Health and Wealth is a void of nothingness, it's puts me back to where I got in trouble in the first place..... me. It forgets about the life Jesus lived and moves right to the death that he suffered. Jesus died and suffered to save me from hell, so I can be "happy." Bah!!!

I don't believe that. I believe Jesus gave me a great story of how my life might look, full of pain, frustration, and ultimately joyous because of the dissapointment and suffering I am going through...Not to live a perfectly easy, simple, painfree life. Doesn't God use the tough things of life to teach us, mold us and encourage us.

Right now I am struggling with some stuff, and it's real stuff. Stuff that "Ten Ways to deal with Dissapointment" isn't going to help. I need the real story of how Jesus handled life, of how He worked within a time and place that was unjust. I need to know what Jesus would really say about a family who just lost their son to an auto accident and had to bury him unexpectedly. I just don't think "Don't let your doubts defeat you" will help me with that.

It isn't real, it isn't true. I don't need a twelve step recovery program. I need Jesus healing power, loving grace, and willing forgiveness and understanding.

After a short time with these ladies and me laying out as I like to call it, my .02, they figured out; "Oh you're a pastor aren't you?" I'm not sure if this is good or bad. I said "no," that I was just a follower of Jesus no different than them. They figured it out though. As the man called my name to pick up my car, one lady looked at me and said. "Thanks for sharing yourself with us today Pastor." I said, "I haven't told you I'm a minister how did you guess?" She said, "Sometimes you can just tell, and I appreciate you being caring and honest, and not forcing yourself on us. That's what Jesus would have done."

I walked out realizing that to someone for just a few moments, I did what I believed and not one time did I give answers about so many ways to (you fill in the blank). Yeah, I lived out the gospel to someone - and there was no health and no wealth for me or anyone - just truth - trying to be like Jesus.

9/30/05 I was thinking...

2005-09-30T13:19:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'll admit the posts have been a little erratic and a bit short at that. So keeping with that theme here are some things I think I think:

1 - Today is my last 5th Quarter for the year, isn't that strange even though it is only October...? Well, it's true. And I'm OK with it.

2 - Disunity - I am not sure if this is a real word, but it's is a very real thing happening in my club - wait did I say club? I meant faction, I mean brotherhood. More later..But while I am on the subject for a group that uses the term brotherhood so much , sometimes we aren't very brotherly. - Hey, maybe more on that later too.

3 - I'll be at Zoe next week with my wife and daughter, I am really looking forward to it, I/we need the refreshing - God is good! (Holla, if you are up that way, love to meet ya!)

4 - Our church has become construction central; a new multipurpose teen area (Thank you God) and parking lot. I am getting pretty excited about this...

5 - I think God has called us out to realize that living this life for us, was not what he had in mind. And on that note, either next week or the week after I will post something on the Health and Wealth! (That is gospel)

6 - My daughter Hayden is really awesome, sometime I'll post some pictures, but she is growing up and becoming quite the Daddy's girl.

7 - New tires for a GMC Yukon, and new roof on my house after Katrina, this month i a bit snug in the moola department. I am thankful I still have that house to live in and car to drive!

8 - Starting a new study called Coffee and Conversation in a couple of weeks using Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, and I am really looking forward to it. It may not seem like much but believe me it's a huge step for our church because we are doing it in a local coffee shop, especially a coC in L.A. Pray for us.

9 - If you like good music, the new DCFC cd "Plans" is a beautiful piece.

God bless you as seek the face of God this week!

9/20/05 A great post...

2005-09-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

Mike Cope had a great post today! Thanks Mike I needed that!

One thing and then one more...

2005-09-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

I am becoming really good at two things:

1 - Hurricanes, man living in L.A. I promise I may be the best, although self proclaimed, hurricane tracker.

2 - I am an expert at having my laptop fixed. Two hard drives and a mother board later, our church just bought me a new laptop. I'll be more regular I promise, O.K. If you believe that, call me I have some beautiful property for you...nevermind.

But for real, some of you have heard me talk about praying for me on an issue that I have that I cannot talk about here. Keep praying, the Father is working and answering!

I really will post more later!!!

Weary Wednesday...

2005-09-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

Wednesday typically is my longest day. Working in "ministry" is a tough "job" on Wednesdays. I put ministry and job in parentheses because, I really don't see ministry as a job, more of a passion that has been made more like a job in many ways that makes it sort of bureaucratic in a way that I think it shouldn't be. To me there really shouldn't be a separation in our lives like we typically make it, i.e, church life; work life; family life, but that's another blog all together. So I find myself pretty worn out at the end of the day on Wednesday as my day usually goes like this:

7:10 SGA Meeting at Mobile Christian
8:30 Prepare Wednesday nights message, activities, and worship time for "the calling"
11-12 Eat lunch with someone/somewhere
1 pick up any supplies needed for "the calling"
2 do all media presentations for "the calling"
4 begin setting up the gym for "the calling"
5:30 call and order food for "the calling"
6 pick up food
6:30 start "the calling"
9 head for home to be with my family, who are already in bed

So that is a very basic shot of what Wednesday's look like for me, sometimes they are different, but that is typical.

Yesterday, my Wednesday was very different. We piled a group into a few trucks with chainsaws and other exciting motorized equipment and headed to Pascagoula, MS, seeking some way to live out our faith. After sitting on I-10 for about two hours we made it to Pascagoula. We spent the day working on everything from cutting trees, to helping stock a food supply and hanging up clothes. We worked with a group of Christians from Calhoun, GA and they were all about business. It was really awesome! I have never been so encouraged by what I saw yesterday, it was so neat to see people not asking really important questions like, "Do you think it is sinful to clap in worship?" and just work!

While I was encouraged by the resolve of the people in Pascagoula, I was also saddened to see all of the wreckage, all of the pain and hurt. It was hard. Mostly though peoples spirits were high. It was a great trip and so much fun to help. (Isn't it weird that when you are trying to serve God it just seems so fun?) I came home to a stark reality. We got home and I cleaned myself up and got to the church building just in time for "the calling." Ken did a great job focusing our group on something really special and then we played a game.

What hit me was how good it is. It is so good to have a gym to have "the calling" in even though I complain that the space is too big, allows too many interruptions and is hot and hard to work in. It is really nice to be able to spend my whole day planning for this on Wednesday because it is a really big deal. I am thankful that at the end of the day I am weary and tired, just as I was last night. I was exhausted when I finally got home last night, but it was the best tired I have ever felt!

Father, thank you, thank you , thank you. You are here among us encouraging us and holding us up. I am so glad I can be tired in you, that my times of what I consider exhaustion are my times of allowing you to recharge me. Thank for letting me do that, you are so good to me. Please bless all of those that I didn't meet and see yesterday, my heart aches for them. Allow them to find true refuge in you! Recharge and refuel them, just as you do me, when I allow you to. Thanks for hearing me. Amen

O.K.

2005-08-31T21:02:00.000-05:00

My family and I are doing really well since the storm. We decided to weather it out (won't do that again) and try to be here for the immediate clean-up and inventory that one would come to expect living in L.A. Things are OK.

I really should be ecstatic right now, but I'm not. Tomorrow my in-laws load up and head this way to do what my father-in-law seems to do best help folks in need. He'll be coming to patch our roof and fix our fence and blah, blah, blah.

In all honesty I feel horrible right now. I have been hearing in my mind all that song by Acapella, "That Could've Been Me." After everything we have seen or heard over the last few days I feel like I didn't even deserve to have a house, with electricity and plush cable internet to live in and use. I actually feel like I should be homeless too. I am thankful that I have a home, because my baby girl has place to sleep.

OH MY HEART JUST HURTS THINKING OF WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO NOT HAVE A HOUSE FOR MY FAMILY TO LIVE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some have said, "it could've been worse = at least you're still alive." YEAH! Well whatever, the people who say that are the ones who didn't lose their homes and jobs and well lives! What about the ones who did?

See, this is what it all comes down to, This is what I have been reduced to.

I am dealing with some hard emotions right now, because I hurt for my friends JD and Steve Martin. And so many others through MS and LA.

I feel like it should've been me.

More later...maybe....

Mama don't let your babies grow up to be ..... Pharisees?

2005-08-18T09:20:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about something. Since my time in youth ministry began a long time ago I have unraveled something that is somewhat suprising.

As I have mentioned here before I grew up in the good ole' coC. It was all quite the status quo, we went to church everytime the doors were open, learned all the rules (spoken and unspoken, in context and out of context), and learned about how the church we went to was THE WAY TO HEAVEN. I always found these thoughts encouraging. I always found them neat. I never doubted my salvation nor did I ever think it could possibly be in doubt - I still don't by the way.

I have studied a lot about how to "reach young people" and how to "meet their needs" but over the years I have become saddened at what I have observed. After high school, the church and the youth group became afterthoughts. Unable to any longer hold the attention of young adults and teens alike. I have been really saddened by this. I believe that Barna reports that only about 1 in 10 of the kids who grow up in church actually stay involved or "remain faithful" (of course with that statistic I have to ask, are we speaking of them "remaining faithful" to the institution or to Jesus himself? That's another post of substance for a whole other day.)

The good news about this, if you want to call it good, is that some of them return. That is after they "settle down," but for some reason (and I'm generalizing here, so bear with me) they return hyper-legalistic. Almost as if in order to repay God for straying from the flock they want to over correct themselves, others and work to completely and totally reject all false teaching, which consequently they hated when they left "the Church." Only this false teaching isn't false it just that it's "what we were always taught" which has to make it golden and true. Now don't get me wrong some crawl out of the depths of legalism and scared living, but in my humble opinion it seems to be less than more.

The saddest part of this comes right here, the kids that grow up in the youth group tend to be the ones most affected by this. The kids that grow up learning what I learned and doing what I did seem to struggle the most. Just like I did. Is it because the church can no longer speak their language after all of the excitement of youth ministry? Or is there a deeper, underlying issue?

I think it has to do with both. I think that when we do youth ministry with our teens and kids it has a great place and can be used as an awesome tool. I think it gives many opportunities to encourage and nurture our teens and hopefully the entire family unit. I also think that there is a deeper issue here that is underlying and it deals more and delves into what I consider a heart issue.

Case in point, Meet Billy, Billy is a decent student, attends youth group outings regularly, leads prayers, devos and helps pass out the Lord's Supper on Sunday's. Billy grew up in the church so he has a good understanding of all of the rules. Everybody thinks Billy is the man, he's smart, has a great family, a great athlete and all around nice guy. Billy graduates from high school and moves out of the house to go to college a Christian college at that, the best one, True Church University. Billy get's to school and goes nuts, stops attending worship, stops being involved in church activities and mom and dad are upset. " I just can't believe it. How could Billy leave the church? He is such a good Christian. This just can't be, he must be ill." You bet he is.

Meet Michael, Michael is a bit different, does good in school. Things are OK at home, he has a good family that loves and supports him. Things are pretty good for him, he's popular and is also a good athlete. But for Michael, something is missing. He isn't sure what it is, but there is something that is just not right. Michael is invited to a youth event at church and likes it OK. Decides to keep going and before long he's hooked. Actually he participates more in activities than some of the church kids and he hasn't even accepted Jesus. Before long, Michael makes the decision, he decides to follow Jesus. Shortly after this Michael also graduates high school. He leaves home headed to Big State University. He immediately begins searching for the BSU Christian student center. He finds the student center along with a great church that he goes to with his new friends from BSU. He continues seeking God and is open to what God might lead him to do with his life.

So, what's the difference? These obviously are hypotheticals, but I have seen this play out year after year after year. Alot of the folks I know in other ministries have also expreienced it. So why? Why does this take place? What is the answer? I mean why is it that the kids who "grow up in the church" leave as quickly after high school as possible, and those who find Jesus at a later stage in their lives seem to stay more focused on running the race? I am still seeking to find the answer to these questions. I have a few clues but I haven't made an absolute conclusion nor do I think I will ever be able to.

Does this have something to do with complacency or apathy?
Does this have something to with the family unit?
Does this have to do with our churches not being effective?

I think all of these questions raise new questions, some lead to answers that give very real indications of an even larger issue.

Satan does everything he possibly can to try and derail us. He makes lots of things seem really important to us. He takes us off task, and tries to make us feel bad when we aren't keeping up with the Joneses and in so many ways each other. We have so much packed in to our lives we give Jesus such little opportunity to be in control of it. And his control of our lives can only come in the segments we want him to. Not all but definitely just enough for us to seem like we are really following him.

I don't have answers to these questions and that bugs me because, well quite frankly, we've always had the answers. I'm OK seeking them though. I just pray that in some way we can discover God's presence in a very real way, and allow him to be to us what we can't be for ourselves, or for each other. I pray that our families become transformed by the ever living God and we begin to help our children understand that God is everything to us and the way we live represents the way we feel about him and it causes us to live Christ centered, focused and missional lives. That is my prayer.
Not only that my daughter Hayden doesn't grow to be a pharisee but that she doesn't become a statistic on George Barna's website. Lord, help us all.

I once was blind, and now ...I'm still blind?

2005-08-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

I've got the funk, and I am not talking about the funk that Parliament sings about. I am a goofy white guy who will never have that funk, although I think I would rather have it than the kind I have. Two weeks ago today I started to have a little sore throat, it was downhill from there. I went to the doctor Wednesday or Thursday and by the end of the week I was like deathly ill - O.K. not deathly ill but definitely sicker than ever and since I am a weenie, I will equate that with feeling like I was going to die. Well it just so happened that our preaching minister Bruce was out after having surgery. So, since I was filling in for Bruce I spoke in his absence that Sunday with 102 degree fever, it was an interesting feeling. By Monday my fever was broken and I was starting to recover a bit, even though I was still pretty much exhausted. Wednesday our student's and I set up five prayer stations for our church to go through. It was really nice, I think people really enjoyed them and were encouraged. I was pretty impressed with how people reacted to it. It was really neat. Our theme was, "God is Our Rock" and we did stations forcused on God's love and protection and strength. It was neat. Back to the story...

So, I think I was feeling OK by Friday and also had done a good bit in preparing my message for last Sunday. I think it went pretty well. By Sunday night though I was starting to feel bad again, and now I am on a tear where I can't stop sneezing. Can't sleep, am stopped up. It's all back like I never got well. All of this sickness has been really frustrating to me. I have never been sick this much for this long. Sickness come, sickness go - or move in and stay a while and leave when you feel like your vacation is over. (Anyway, I am going to get to the real point here.)

As I mentioned briefly before, for the last two weeks I was asked to fill in for our preaching minister on the two Sundays he was out. So, I glady did that. My first week I decided to speak about John 5 and the lame man who is healed and the obvious differences that John presents about this miracle and the other miracles Jesus performs. That went really well, I felt good about the message. Actually, I really don't remember much of what I said or did, as I was ready at anytime that morning to, pass out.

This last week I spoke about spiritual blindness from John 9. I can remember some of what I said and the points I was trying to relate, pretty well. Actually, I really felt good about this message, I just felt like God was using me (for both weeks for that matter) to say some things that really needed to be said. I made some points about us being willing to admit our own blindness and how God is ready to use us if we will allow him to remove our blindness and ask for his healing.

It was well recieved I think, I believe the message was pretty well communicated. At the end of the service someone came up to me and made a comment about how clapping in our worship service doesn't allow their family to attend our church. I acknowledged the comment, said I was sorry. Moved on and thought, "Did you just hear a word I said, anything, even a little bit of it?" Apparently not. I went on about my morning and Susan and Hayden and I did what typical coc'ers do best. That is beat our baptist brothers to lunch at Luby's. OK not Luby's but Cracker Barrel. I got home after a savory meal of chicken -n- dumplins and then my cell phone rang. It just so happens that so and so is upset about ___________ (you fill-in the blank here) and their calling so and so and so and so to gossip, I mean express their dissapointment.

People are important to God, I know that, He loves everyone! For that I am thankful. There are many days when I don't have the energy or willpower to deal with some of the things that are so "important" like what kind of songs we should sing, how long should the sermon be, can we put this or that up in the auditorium? I pray that God will help heal us all of our blindness, Satan is doing the best job ever of keeping us off task. God please forgive us.

I once was blind, now I see....please just let me see with Kingdom vision and great spiritual eyes. I don't want to be blind anymore.

In the right direction...

2005-07-31T13:15:00.000-05:00

My daughter Hayden is hilarious, we have learned quickly with her two very simple truths:

1 - She truly believes she is much older than she is.

2 - She is constantly teaching other kids, reading to her baby dolls, etc.

Over the last few months we have been trying to get a jump on the potty training. Nothing too intense since she isn't quite 2 yet, but at least a start. We have been trying to get her to talk to us about when she needs to go to the bathroom. She has been doing a pretty good job although so far she will just stop in the middle of what she is doing and say " poo poo or pee pee" which tranlates to "I am currently doing this now, are you ready to clean me up?" This morning was the best one yet, not in the fact that she "did a poopie or peepee" but in another way.

We were driving to church and she was playing with her baby n her seat when I turn around just in time to hear Hayden say, "go pee pee baby, you go potty?"

It was one of those moments when my heart just felt great joy. It's just nice to see a concept really take hold. She get's it, now will she really start to do it. I guess she will continue to let us clean her up and eventually we'll get there.
I love my daughter she is the best and funny too.

Tomorrow we Wiggle.

Like a cow on the farm...

2005-07-28T17:41:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged. So, I will update about the "Mystery Trip" later, which was awesome by the way. But in the meantime, here goes...

Book Tag

1. How many books have I owned?

Hi my name is Chris and I am a bookaholic. I own over 1500 books, the amazing thing is I am not sure how I got there. It just kind of crept up on me. Actually, everytime I go on Amazon for something other than books I buy books, when I go to the Christian bookstore I buy books, even when I am not shopping for them for my library. There it's out there. I need help.

2. What was the last book you bought?

"In The Name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen

3. What was the last book you read?

"Following Jesus" by N.T. Wright, "The Challenge of Jesus" by N.T. Wright, "The Present Future" by Reggie McNeal, "The Last Word and The Word After That" by Brian McLaren and the aformentioned.

4. What are FIVE books that have meant a lot to you?

The Jesus Proposal by John York and Rubel Shelly
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
Celebration of Disciplines by Richard Foster
PostModern Pilgrims by Len Sweet
A Church That Flies by Tim Woodruff
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey

So many books have meant so much to me. It is really hard to break it down but these have had a pretty profound impact on me, and I am thankful for them. I am constantly reading a lot of books at one time. It's kind of a bad habit, it's just what happens.

These folks are officially "it"

JD
Stu (Grant)
K2
Jason Retherford

Oh The Mystery...

2005-07-19T08:14:00.000-05:00

On Friday I will leave with a bunch of teens from our church headed on a mystery trip of sorts. I am really excited about this trip for a few reasons. The teens that have signed up to participate have no idea what they will be doing, I mean absolutely no idea. I won't divulge too much right here right now, but let's just say this, it takes a lot of heart for someone to, not knowing where they are going, pile in to a vehicle willing to travel to serve someone else. Knowing it could be really easy or it could be grueling. Knowing it could be a lot of fun or a lot of frustration. Not having any idea what to expect, only expecting to love and serve others in the name of Jesus. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so, especially not with teens.
As a matter of fact I have been struggling everday in my own life trying to figure out more about what it means to live as a Christian in this world. Although I have been a christian for sixteen years, I have been upset and dissapointed in what I have found, I have been angered by what I have found, and I have been saddened to some degree about what I have found. Mainly, the fact that I am not getting it done the way Jesus wants me to. I'm not talking about keeping "Five Acts in Worship" or living to the letter of the self imposed legalism that no man could ever live up to. I'm talking simply about being a Christian. It appears this word has a different meaning to so many people, that is in appearance by how they live. Not that I would judge, but I remember seeing this "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" and then the one about doing everything you do in the name of the Lord. I guess I don't see that very much, especially not in church.
My wife made a comment to me one time a couple of years ago that was somewhat prophetic and sobering to me. She said, the "people I work with at my school who are not Christians act more like Jesus than some people I know from church." Wow! There is some insight into something, it's a testament from the world right back at us. A sad one but a true one so many times.
So being a christian, I mean what do I see it as? I see it as living out our lives as an extension of Jesus everyday. It means getting outside of four church walls and loving your community. It means not being afraid to expose your heart and mind to anyone you meet in the name of Jesus. It means having a boldness that comes from the Spirit who lives in you, that allows you to be a living sacrifice everyday. It means denying yourself, even when you think you don't need to. It's about loving all of our neighbors everyday as much as ourselves. I am sure I am forgetting something I came up with. I just know I've missed the boat at times. This week it means getting on a van with a bunch of nutty high school kids and doing everything we do in the name of Jesus!

Tell me what I missed, what do you see it as?

Update...

2005-07-18T18:45:00.000-05:00

That should do it. I've updated my blog. ; -)

I love you...

2005-07-05T08:13:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Susan and Hayden and I went to the Audobon Zoo with her parents. We had a great time. When we got there we had a little issue and found out Hayden was allregic to Winn Dixie Sunscreen for babies. That was a frantic time, Hayden was upset, we were all upset. Anyway, on the way to the zoo Hayden starts singing this song. Susan and I have been so blessed by her, she loves to sing ALL the time and loves to get up on stage at church and perfrom all at just 19 months old. So, in the car yesterday she starts singing "I wuve You, I wuve you me sa fee wa see sa me." It was the sweetest thing, I am not sure where she heard the song but, it was the most beuatiful sound I have ever heard. I'll try and port some zoo pictures later. On the way home we stopped at Cafe Du Monde and got some beignets. It isn't legal to go through the french quarter and not pick up beignets. I am now fatter for the trip.

Added - We got all of the sunscreen off of Hayden and then I bought some Panama Jack sinscreen from the gift shop it worked great and my sweet trooper had a great day! Better than her Dad I might add.

On the weird side...

2005-06-28T10:15:00.000-05:00

Last night I had a dream that I was in Hell's Kitchen resturant, you know the TV show, and I was in a heated argument with D.A. Carson. I don't even know that man - isn't that weird? More later...

The Attendance Dilemma

2005-06-16T21:20:00.000-05:00

I was recently looking at my blog updates from last fall and realized that I started most of my posts like this, "Well, it's been a while since I have posted and (insert your favorite excuse here. So, no more excuses - just blogging. This post has been in my folder for a while with about fifty others, so I am going to attempt to get it finished.

I grew up in the church of Christ, that's is my religous heritage the good old Restoration Movement. When I was a kid and was told that our heritage was of the Restoration Movement, I didn't get it. I mean the way I understood it, what's to restore if you already have all of the answers? I'm not kidding. That was my thinking as a very very young man. Now, I am not so presumptious, nor do I really believe that I have even about a third of a clue about who God really is, or what He is really ALL about. I am seeking and searching like everyone else. Just asking questions, many of which I struggle with. But there is just something about open dialogue that to me brings peace and an encouraging presence (would that be the Spirit?) to my heart. I can't explain it.

Which brings me to something else I can't explain. For those familiar with my heritage, and I would also assume it may have been like this in other traditions, we alsO have had a huge focus on attendance. I mean the most important thing you could do was have "big numbers on Sunday." And the questions that were asked always sounded like this - "What was attendance today?, Was that a preacher count?, Ha ha ha ha! Boy we've got to get more folks here." And the questions and discussion always seemed to focus on how many people are/were at church. And I guess to some degree it is a noble question to ask. But... I don't know. It just feels awkward. It fits right in there with the question, "What was contribution like today? You mean it was only ....., man we gotta do something about that." Huh?

Is this what God had in mind?

I have found myself dissapointed in some of our teens for visiting other churches at different points. Actually about two weeks ago I stood up in front of our kids and I repented and I told them I was sorry. I was sorry for always being so focused on how many were there and not being focused on the ones who were there and wanting to be at that. I felt so wretced when I came to this realization. I will never do it again.

So the dilemma unfolded in my heart, does everyone have to be there everytime the doors are open to be a faithful member? Are we creating a loving, nurturing community that people want to be involved in? Are we asking the right questions about those who were there? Questions like:

How many peoples lives were changed today for being with this community?
How did the Spirit move among us today as we came into communion with Him?
Was God blessed by our time together, spent focusing our hearts on Him?

I don't know. I guess I am asking these questions because I feel a large disparity in who we are vs. who we should be. It makes me kind of sad.I think when we start asking questions like these it begins to foster opportunities for us to reach people because we've taken the numbers game out of it. And God knows it's not a game.

Here's a shocker...Me too...

2005-06-16T13:42:00.000-05:00

Yeah, there was no doubt in my mind. I went ahead and did this last week and thought it was neat. When I noticed that everyone in blogdom pasted theirs on theirs sites well, I just want to fit in ;-0.

You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this.

Emergent/Postmodern

96%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

79%

Neo orthodox

75%

Fundamentalist

61%

Charismatic/Pentecostal

54%

Classical Liberal

46%

Roman Catholic

46%

Reformed Evangelical

39%

Modern Liberal

39%

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

Back from Camp...

2005-06-01T23:41:00.000-05:00

I only got to spend a couple of days at camp last week because sickness struck, what else is new...

Some observations of my short time there:

1. Maybe the best camp experience I have ever had.

2. Love - I experienced more love than I have ever experienced in any church setting.

3. Even when you aren't sure what God will do with a short time like that, He blows you away.

4. Spending time with good brothers and sisters is a taste of heaven on earth.

5. The openess of the time together was a pure blessing!

6. There is nothing like brotherly advice from men with great Godly love and wisdom.

The bottom line - God blessed me more than I could bless anyone! He used people to touch my heart in ways that I really never expected, nor was I ready for. My faithless and simple mind. Thank you God for these blessings!

Just catching up...

2005-05-28T11:39:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a while. The last two weeks for me have been wild to say the least. We have been through a lot here in the last few weeks. Here is a rundown:

1. Two weeks ago Sunday Derek Bee was killed in a car accident. Derek was a student at MCS and it was a really trying time for everyone - I spent a lot of time trying to minister to as many as possible.

2. With the summer basically here, I am busier than ever. This summer I have pledged not to be too program oriented but to be more people oriented. I have spent the last two weeks and everyday of it with someone in some sort of spiritual friendship.

3. Star Wars III is there really a need to elaborate? I've seen it twice.

4. I have about six drafts that I need to complete here, I will get them done in the coming weeks, probably not next week due to camp!

5. My wife Susan is in Denver this weekend, that means Daddy Day Care for four days. Pray for me. I admit, I just didn't get it.

6. I have spent much time in reflection and prayer on my ministry. I am asking God for the direction that he wants for this ministry.

7. I am having some other struggles that I am not free to talk about here. I wish I was. It is the same issue I have been dealing with for so many months. Only a couple of people know what it is. Say a prayer for me please. Ask God to help me deal with this issue His way, not my own.

I will get back in here soon. In the meantime, God bless you!

Sitting on pins and needles...

2005-05-10T15:11:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday night our student ministry conducted a worship time for the whole church. We called it "Focus on the Cross" It was so very different than anything we had ever done there. It was contemplative, reflective, experiential, all of the things that our typical Sunday morning services are not - normally. I was very encouraged by the response of our adults, I heard one complaint from the whole thing and it was a complaint over something we have been doing for a year and half, nothing over the fact that we had a prayer station or a cross and people nailing their sins to it. No, the complaint was over clapping and it was one person, who has continued to struggle with this. I have prayed for her often and will continue to pray for her. God has blessed me with her presence in my life and so with that I will also encourage her. Isn't that the way it is supposed to be though? I mean, we had thirty five people come forward and nail things to the cross, it was incredible. And while I was excited that everyone was encouraged by what we did. I was thrilled by this person feeling challenged. I think God wants us to be challenged, I think that if we sit through every worship time and gathering and feel happy and encouraged, then something has gone terribly wrong.

I want to walk out of our gathering times and feel as if I have a long way to go, I want to walk out and say "Man, that was uncomfortable." I haven't felt that way in a long time. But shouldn't I? Each time I gather with other believers and non-believers for that matter, I should feel disappointed in my self and ready to do something about it. That, to me, seems to be one of the many ways that growth occurs in me and all of us really. I know I am doing a lot of "I wanting" right now, but I think this "wanting" is the kind of "wanting" that God is "wanting" me to have.

Yesterday I went to Montgomery, AL with a group of kids from Mobile Christian for a school function, it was a lot of fun - I love all of those kids. They are awesome!
We took a large bus and on the way there and back I re-read Brian McLaren's "More Ready Than You Realize" It is such an encouraging book and he helps me to remember the importance of "spiritual friendships." I love the entire concept of "spiritual friendships" in regard to evangelism, to me it gives God the control over evangelism that he should have in the first place. Giving God control is pretty comforting to me, when I really do it. We ended up having a baptism on Wednesday night as well, from, you guessed it, a spritual friendship. McLaren is a great mind, he is one of those guys who writes the stuff that I think, but I am not sure how to verbalize. In many ways as I grow he makes me uncomfortable, even though I tell myself I am not. He makes me uncomfortable because reading his thoughts make me ask myself hard questions and open up to what I really think, much further than what I have been taught. He makes me open up to what I have read, in it's context and not just the skewing I have grown up with or gotten used to. It all makes me uncomfortable, and I think I like that.

A little construction...

2005-05-04T08:48:00.000-05:00

Well, it all started about two weeks ago. My wife and I decided that it was really time to change. It had been a long time coming. I mean had done this and that from time to time to get better, but I never was consistent. I really struggle with this issue, I struggle with the questions I ask myself about whether or not I can really do it. Today, I am hurting - boy I am in so much pain, I am not sure what I am going to do. My body feels achy all over, it just plain hurts. I am so tempted by everything I see when I am out. I am tempted to not do anything at home but to go out and take care of myself.

On Monday, I went out with Susan and our friend Beth with Hayden in her stroller of course. I think we went 4 miles, that's is a lot for someone who usually goes no further than the couch to the fridge. Yeah, I am running everyday, my body is angry with me. Not just because of the run, but because of the diet. I have cut my calories down to 1500 per day, I just can't handle fad diets. 1500 calories is very low for a guy who was probably eating in the 3000's each day - yeah it's that bad. This seems to be working. I lost eights pounds in the first week, but now I have tapered off. I think it is because I have built up some muscle so what's lost is gained and the real losing should really begin. I am shooting for fifty pounds. I was a hefty 225, I should be about 170, but I am being realistic and going for 175. I haven't been 175 since my Freshman year - many a year ago. I know a bunch of you are also dieting, I hope you are doing well. I'll pray for you, and you can pray for me too. Just leave me a note.

Temptation is an ugly thing, I am realizing each day how hard this is. Especially in my job, where I hang out with teens so much and we eat most of that time. Ugh. I remember when I was in High School, my friend and I - Jimmy Rossi used to go to McDonald's everyday after school and have a Big Mac, In those days I was amazed at how much I could eat and not gain a pound. In school, I became addicted to three things:

1. Krystal - Faulkner is less than a mile from Krystal
2. Krispy Kreme - I could see the "Hot Donuts Now" sign from Burton dorm
3. Burger King - every night at 10:30 right before curfew, how sweet.

And then there are the honorable mentions - Tenda-Chik, Sonic, Taco Bell and my favorite Mexican place San Marcos.

I have hated the frustrations of clothes no longer looking good, looking at myself and going - "Wow, dude you have gained some weight." Not to mention the health risks - it's over!
So here I am. I've been building this building for years, now it's time to remodel.

And you?

2005-05-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

35% Dixie

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Yeah, what he said...

2005-04-25T13:44:00.000-05:00

We did our dollar drop yesterday and it was awesome, more later...but first...

"I think the problem I have with modern programs is that they place importance on the wrong things - sure, a church "leader" will say "the bible is important" but then he (or she) will turn to a canned program and say, "this will help our church grow" - never once coming to the realization that what is needed is a deeper walk with Christ (emp. mine), in his word and in his way. Programs make church life easier. It places less responsibility on the Pastor, and more on the program. If the church does not grow after "40 days of purpose” it's the programs fault. The purpose driven may be calling for us to have a deeper walk; the call is not loud enough, long enough and with enough conviction to let an emerging conversation believe it. What happens is that most modern churches do the program and then wait for the next program to make their next move. I think the modern church likes programs because they have something to blame, or someone to blame, for the failures of the church."

I found this today and it is something that I have been thinking about too lately. I have really been struggling with "church programs" lately. The more that time passes and I begin to see how far (in my opinion) we are away from being what I think God has called us to be, the sadder I become. I pray that God will give us the strength and the widsom to move in a direction not so program oriented but more people focused.

From the Walls Have Ears Department

2005-04-22T09:21:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday we were driving home from Louisiana and we were moving pretty well down 59 when this really smart child of God pulled out in front of us. To which Susan says OH GEEZ Buddy! We went on down the road a little dissapointed and that was that.
Now, people for over a year have been telling us, be careful what you say because you may here it again from a strange place. Well, it happened. Wednesday morning Susan puts Hayden in the car to head to school and off they go. Hayden having just finished her eggo and still working on her favorite Dora sippy of milk. Well, on the way there, there is a place where you have to make a sharp turn. When Susan makes this hard right turn, Hayden's cup of milk goes flying out of her sweet little hands to which Hayden says, "OW SHEEEZ."

Thank you very much - from the mouth of babes - literally.

Just trying to keep up...

2005-04-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Well after last Wednesdays little talk with our teens I think things are going to be better. So many of them came up to me and said how much they appreciated it and how overdue it was. That was nice. About three of them were upset with me, but I called and talked to them. It's all good. It's funny how when someone says something to you about something that is really wrong in your life and you totally get offended cause the truth hurts...Okay I am just rambling now.

We had a great Sunday planned last week that got shifted to this Sunday, because Susan's uncle passed away on Saturday. So we packed up the car and headed to West Monroe, La. That wasn't any fun at all. Poor Hayden, she somehow found a fever with major teething going on, so Susan and I really didn't sleep the whole trip. Fortunately, I didn't have to speak or sing at the funeral, but keeping up with Hayden was enough work.
Back to the Sunday - which is now moved to this Sunday. I have been reading a lot about servant evangelism the last few months and we have begin to put some of that in to practice with our group. I have prayed a lot about what kind of service opportunities we should look for, and I decided that servant evanglism is a good thing for our group. So this Sunday we will head to the mall here in Mobile and do a "dollar drop" I made up some connection cards and we have glued them to the back of one dollar bills and ae going go shopping and dropping. Our kids are really pumped and I hope that our church catches the excitement too. We'll see how it goes, pray for us. I know that God can bless this effort. This will be the first of many attempts.

Much going on right now, Susan and I are getting ready to undertake some new work on our house and are very excited, cause it is long overdue. Have a great day!

Lack of commitment...

2005-04-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

I had the chance to spend a great time with some awesome teens and some great brothers and sisters last weekend. I really enjoyed our worship times, and everything that went along with it. In my heart and in my mind there was a great calm over the whole thing. I am not sure if everyone felt that (JD- he he) but I know I did.
We had good size group of our kids go to this exciting event, and I am pretty positive we ALL had an awesome time. I was a bit dissapointed when I got home though, because Satan couldn't wait to jump on all of us, especially me. We had some miscommunications, some minor issues, and they all sent my blood to boil. Issues that were really non issues, and things that really shouldn't have bothered me. I won't get in to all of the specifics, but I will get into this:

ap·a·thy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (p-th)n.
Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness.

This is one of those issues I have been so frustrated by for the longest time. I won't go into details, but I think apathy is one of the single biggest killers of our churches. So last night, I laid it out there for some of our teens.

We talked about apathy, we talked about commitment. We talked about the abaility to give 100 percent. On a side note in the last few weeks, I have read the late Mike Yaconelli's "Messy Spirituality" two times. I like what he says about giving 100 %, about how it is really impossible to give God 100 percent and we should be realistic and shoot for 60. I won't do all the details now, but I think there is something to what he is saying. If you get a chance check it out. We talked about that too.

In my heart of hearts I keep coming back to one issue for apathy; lack of commitment. When we are commited to something we'll do it all out! When we're not, we play the "get by" game. It's frustrating. I'm no better. I do things that way too (like my blog - so shameful). I read another book that also is good on the subject, it's called "Bored with God" by Sean Dunn. It has some different theories about how to overcome apathy and some ideas that are great but doesn't it come back to this?

Some people have made a mistake.

In my journey I have found that people become Christians for a variety of reasons. Some do it because "everyone else is." Some do it because it's what is expected of them. Some do it because it's just what you do. But sometimes the bottom line is people have done it and have left Jesus out of it. Why though? How does something so monumental and so Christ focused end up leaving Jesus as the side bar. Why is it in our society it has become OK to take a little Jesus each week, but never fully commit to Him? Why, to many Christians, has it become OK to put Jesus in our pockets and not wear him on our bodies and on our sleeves, and decorate our lives with Him, and truly give up what is us, and make it about Him.

7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

I have come to the conclusion, that some people have made a mistake. For them, becoming one with Christ was not their best decision. Some were not ready to hold to the advice of 1 Peter 2:11. Christianity isn't just something we do when it's relevant to us, not just on Sunday's at 10.

I won't sit and question anyone's decision to become a christian, but sometimes I wonder do we really understand what it means. Because in a society of indivdualism - there is no focus on body, in a world of cheap grace - there is no truth, and ultimately in a world of selfishness - there is no room for Jesus.

I pray for revival for our people, I pray for a brand new understanding of what it means to live by the Spirit. I pray for God to break up the ground we cling to and make us grab on to Him.

Bless you today!

Some things I have learned and maybe already knew...

2005-04-01T11:17:00.000-06:00

I have been so busy lately. Susan's family came in on Thursday 3/26 and we have had a great time with them. They left today, so here is the rundown:

Friday - we learned how a solanoid in a riding lawnmower can stink and make smoke come off of the engine. I enjoy fighting lawnmowers - errr not! I actually worked in the yard Friday afternoon it was long overdue - and now it's already due again - can I get a little help here?

Saturday - Weddings outside in nasty weather don't achieve the preferred outcome...

Sunday - Easter services were OK at Port City, some good things happened, met some new people and I am working to build some relationships for Christ

Monday - We decided a few weeks ago that it was definitely time to repaint all of the trim work in the house, yes all of it. That means upstairs and downstairs, crown, baseboards, doors and doorways all 2900 plus square feet of my house. Translation a lot of work - project still underway. Hint - Oil based paint doesn't like to be coated by acrylic

Tues, Weds - see above plus if you like emo, Mae's new cd "The Everglow" is worth all of your nickels. Beautiful.

Thursday - I learned that in an average church typically there is a huge disparity in what the church should be about and actually is about. And the leaders and ministers don't agree as to what it should look like. Both parties think they know, but both are very wrong in many ways. Church speak is also a very popular language. It is a language easy to speak but so hard to live.

Friday - The paint saga continues as we have actually began to move towards the finish line. It is a miracle though, considering my house. Still much to do.

Ultimately - thankful that God has a great plan for my life, and that he has some exciting suprises in store for Susan and I. I have a positive confirmation that it has nothing to do with lawn maintenance and painting.

God bless you in your walk today.

Things happen..........thank God they are in His hands!

2005-03-22T10:23:00.000-06:00

I think I heard somebody once say that life is that thing that happens when you're making plans. I guess it's true. Over the weekend Susan and I were in Columbus, GA, spending time with the Chattahoochee Valley Church, we had a great time there. There are so many nice people there and we were just so encouraged by our visit with them. While we were there on Sunday they had a planned a BBQ fellowship for us after church. When church ended people began preparing the food areas and getting everything ready, when a call came in from some of the teens saying that there had been an accident. The youth group had been on a retreat and were on their way home when the Suburban that Landon Smith (the youth minister) was driving, flipped.

I know you've heard this story before, although this time the ending isn't an unhappy one. Everyone was OK. Three people went to the hospital with injuries, but God worked a miracle in that no one died. I ask for your prayers for the following people:

The CVC youth group.
Landon Smith
Kendell Hubbuch
Hannah Bowden

God is an amazing God, who still performs miracles everyday! I believe that. It isn't a coincidence that no one passed in this accident. It is because God is working. On the other hand Landon Smith has been the youth minister at CVC for about 6 months, he is doing an awesome job and Satan knows it. Please lift this church and these people up to the Father, that Satan will flee them. Pray for blessing, healing and strength.

Have a great day!

A Busy Time...

2005-03-18T11:24:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a bit, I haven't forgotten. This week has been crazy and we are going out of town this weekend.

I really would appreciate you prayers right now as we are travelling and have much going on!

Have a great weekend!

P.S. "I'm getting kind of T.O.'ed" that LawFawnduh won't go away - thanks blogger.

Aren't you interested...?

2005-03-10T13:56:00.002-06:00

You are LaFawnduh. Why are you so sweaty?

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by

Aren't you interested...?

2005-03-10T13:56:00.001-06:00

You are LaFawnduh. Why are you so sweaty?

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by

Aren't you interested...?

2005-03-10T13:56:00.000-06:00

You are LaFawnduh. Why are you so sweaty?

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by

For crying out loud...

2005-03-09T13:45:00.000-06:00

Recently, someone who read my blog asked me if I was really unhappy? I guess at times I didn't realize that I seemed unhappy by what I was writing. For all of you who read my blog, do I seem unhappy? Either way, that isn't the case. I am perfectly happy, I promise. I have just really felt a huge need to be honest. With that being said though, I certainly will be mindful of what I say and try and cast things in the most positive light when I can. However, sometimes a positive light isn't the one that's shining and honesty is honesty, I guess that is why they say the truth hurts.

So I actually was posting today (not because JD is nudging me but) because I wanted to bring up a thought.

In I Thessolonians 5:17 Paul says that we should pray without ceasing, actually The Living Bible prarphrases it as "Always keep on praying." I have struggled with this passage since I was a little guy, because I couldn't understand how you could actually pray all the time without ever stopping. I mean how would you do that while, eating and sleeping - two of my larger issues? I struggled with that up until about six months ago.

I have had a lot of things going on in my life in the last year, many decisions to make, many frustrations to deal with, balancing life as I know it. I started noticing about six months ago that I was praying at the most random times:

Praying in the shower
In the car
Cleaning the house
working in the yard
setting up chairs at church
going to visit someone
Playing with my daughter

I just find myself talking to God....or am I? I am wondering am I saying these things to God or am I just worrying about them out loud in my mind (I hope that makes sense)? I think it is so easy to be focused on what is going on in your life that you are prayerful and to me this is, bringing my requests before God constantly. Could this have anything to do with the Spirit working in me, prompting me due to growth in my own life or does it have more to do with me being worried and therefore just laying my heart out for selfish reasons, perhaps in anxiety?

Maybe the reason I ask is because I doubt myself, but I am not sure why I do. There really is no reason to. I was having a discussion with a friend about the fact that sometimes with regard to our pasts, and when I say pasts I mean what we grew up knowing as absolute, it is hard to accept God's grace in all aspects of your life not just the obvious ones...either way here I go not making any sense.

Does anybody else go through this? Or am I just a weirdo. Ok don't answer that - only answer if you go through this.

And this is where it will lead....

2005-02-28T09:48:00.000-06:00

Over the last few weeks I have posted less and less on my blog. I have been spending just a little bit of time trying to figure out why. Is it that I have nothing to say? Is it that I don't have any time? Is it that what I say will have no profound effect on anyone? Why does that matter? Shouldn't my blog be about me anyway? As you can see a myriad of questions popping up left and right. Either way here is what I am going to do.

I am going to continue to post, but I am going to get back to my original formula 0f sharing my heart and asking tough questions. The reason is, I often realize I have lots of things in my mind and heart I need to put down. All of you folks will only be fortunate enough to read it - if you so choose and respond if you feel a need. So that is where this will lead - I have some things on my heart that I will share but right now I will start with this:

On my heart lately has been the thought that we are inept. It's true. I have thought about it from this standpoint:

Will God get over us? I mean really - is it possible for him to feel about us like he did the Israelites.
I find my self in sadness over the fact that our world looks like this:

Hosea 5:1-5
1 "Hear this, you priests!
Pay attention, you Israelites!
Listen, O royal house!
This judgment is against you:
You have been a snare at Mizpah,
a net spread out on Tabor.
2 The rebels are deep in slaughter.
I will discipline all of them.
3 I know all about Ephraim;
Israel is not hidden from me.
Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution;
Israel is corrupt.
4 "Their deeds do not permit them
to return to their God.
A spirit of prostitution is in their heart;
they do not acknowledge the LORD.
5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them;
the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin;
Judah also stumbles with them.

Is that what we have come to? Is it just me or do our churches not look much different?

I have found myself in prayer that this is not the case:

Hosea 5:6-11
6 When they go with their flocks and herds
to seek the LORD,
they will not find him;
he has withdrawn himself from them.
7 They are unfaithful to the LORD;
they give birth to illegitimate children.
Now their New Moon festivals
will devour them and their fields.
8 "Sound the trumpet in Gibeah,
the horn in Ramah.
Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven£;
lead on, O Benjamin.
9 Ephraim will be laid waste
on the day of reckoning.
Among the tribes of Israel
I proclaim what is certain.
10 Judah’s leaders are like those
who move boundary stones.
I will pour out my wrath on them
like a flood of water.
11 Ephraim is oppressed,
trampled in judgment,
intent on pursuing idols.£

I fear this what we have become - trying to serve an awesome God who is growing angry and weary of us...

I am examining so many things in my own heart right now, so much of what I have been taught. A gospel that is self serving and really doesn't separate us from the world. Yet Jesus life and teaching was so revolutionary. I have been praying a lot about how this is all presented to our teens. And I feel bad for so many of them who attend MCS, because I know what they are being taught and how it is being presented and then they come and are a part of what I am teaching - and I know these things have to conflict for them so much.

The main question I am asking is: Is Jesus truly the focal point of all of our teaching and everything we do?
I feel like we have watered things down in so many ways that we have sort of allowed Jesus to wait until the invitation to get his mention. I'm not talking about presenting things in a positive relevant way, I am talking about centering everything on Jesus. In my opinion, I think a lot of our churches aren't growing because people are over the health and wealth and just want to be led to a loving, caring, radical savior who loved people enough to buck the norm.
The other problem - we don't live and follow that Jesus. We follow the very nicley placed in my pocket and he's there when I need him Jesus who gave up his life just for me and I serve him on Sundays when I show up to punch my ticket and didn't you know I have no problems and that everything in my world is perfect and I would never share any real problems with you cause what would you think of me?
And here I am, guilty as charged...

I don't want to serve that Jesus anymore - I want to serve the Jesus that was honest, open, focused on the big picture, didn't care if you were offended by his meesage, loved everyone because he is everyone's savior, Not just mine.

Father, break the old Jesus out of me - the untrue Jesus - Make me like your real Son. I am not worthy to be called a child of God, but I want to be like your Son if you will allow me. May I truly die to myself and become what He has called me to be = His hands, and His feet in the truest form. Not in my perfectly translated, just has to be this or that way form. But His! May you break our churches - all of them - remake them into something that Jesus would want to associate with as His true bride. I love you. Amen.

Drum Roll Please............

2005-02-21T15:23:00.000-06:00

I have a huge announcement to make....

The news I am about to share will impact everything I know as life and what it means to me. ...

This news is life changing, I may never be the same....

My family will be forever affected by this news as it will really change our lives forever...

It is an exciting moment in many ways...

I know that God is going to bless us because of it...

I cannot begin to tell you how happy this makes me...

Hayden went poopie in the potty...

I know, I know - you're thinking all of that fanfare for that...Oh let me just say this is a huge deal for us...

This means we could begin to train Hayden to do her poopies on the potty from now on..

Hayden is only fourteen months old...it means she could be the smartest child in the universe( Hey, I can embellish my own child, can't I?)

It means the cost of diapers goes down drastically and more quickly.

It means that Daddy doesn't have to brave the land of bbbllllluuuoooooggggghhhhhhhhhhh diapers anymore - I think I can handle maybe teaching the old wipe technique...

This is awesome. I am so happy. My daughter is awesome.

In other news, please pray for me as God seems to be doing something in my life at this time. I can't say what it is, but it will definitely impact my family. God bless you in your walk with Him today!!

I'm feeling...

2005-02-15T13:15:00.000-06:00

I am definitely feeling a nasty headache from a really nice catch in my back right now. I hate it. I get these muscles in my back from time to time that just knot up and hurt. Every doctor I have been to says that I wear my stress on my body. Well right now my body is taking it pretty seriously.
I find myself always talking about how I have a lot going on right now, which is always true and I never feel like I have downtime, it goes back to the issue of giving myself time to relax and do nothing rather than just taking on too much. It sounds so easy. Last week Susan, Hayden and I left town headed for Tampa, to spend time with our families. For the first time ever I actually went down there and did nothing, OK not actually nothing we did a lot...we attended two worship services on the Sunday we were there, one of which I preached, drove hundreds of miles, seeing all of our friends, basically we ran around like chickens with our heads cut off. I think it would suffice to say we were as busy there as we typically are at home, just with different things. I got home only to have a lot to do. I think that is the problem with leaving town. When you get home you still have a ton of work, actually twice as much. What relief of stress is that? Anyway.

Yesterday was actually a good catch up day, I really felt good getting back in to the swing. I have declared a new schedule for myself although it may change as I work out the bugs, but we'll see:

Monday: Administrative day
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: People Day
Thursday: People Day
Friday: People Day
Saturday: Family Day
Sunday: Lord, Help me.

That is the way it is looking right now, I have never actually taken that day off before, so today is the first time. My wife has loaded me up with "Honey Do's" I am so pumped! As I thought through this and prayed about it I came up with this because I have been asking God to help me better use my time that I can be more about Kingdom business. That means no more admin during the week (Okay, I know that isn't totally realistic, but I am going to try)

Last Friday, in the car driving home from Tampa, sleeping baby, I had a revelation while talking to my wife. I guess it isn't a real revelation, because I knew it. But I guess it was just one of those; my wife is the smartest woman alive moments, because she got me to realize something so important about what I do. I 've known this little factoid and you've heard it too:

"People are LOST - that means they are going to die in hell. These are people that God has given you the opportunity to touch and your purpose is to love them, and allow them to meet Him. Because you are SAVED."

I feel like I have been on this journey to PurposeLand lately, and slowly I am pulling into the parking lot. I hope to get on some of the big rides soon, but I am sure that for a while I will hang around in KiddyKingdom until I really begin to see God's bigger picuture for me in the largest and truest since. I pray that in time I will, I know he'll be ready to show me...

Mardi Gras Time..

2005-02-04T10:32:00.000-06:00

Yes that's right in the big metroplex known as Mobile, Mardi Gras has been underway for as long as folks here can stretch at least since January. Anyway, as has become customary for the CEO and I - that's Susan and I, we are heading out of town for the week next week. I probably won't blog much during that time. So this is for all of my faithful readers - right, how could I be so presumptious - whatever. Blessings to you and yours!

Chris

Have I taken time to take time?

2005-02-01T10:20:00.000-06:00

I am asking myself this question because in my life over the last few months I am realizing more and more that I do not take enough time for my family and personal life. I have had many discussions with lots of people in the last few months about this issue. Ultimately though I think BST got me going this morning.

I have spoken with my wife about these issues:

"Do I spend enough time focusing on my family? How can I be better involved in the daily household activities? Do I spend enough time with my daughter? Have I allowed myself to be consumed by what is going on around me?" These are just a few of her questions.

Speaking with my Dad who grew up in a very conservative wing of the church of Christ:

"Do you feel appreciated for what you are doing? Are you feeling overstressed?"

Speaking with a brother and fellow ministry friend:

"Are you giving up too much for the people who really don't think about your home life and family? Have you been sacrificing yourself on the altar of forsaking the family? Are you sacrificing your marriage for ministry?"

Obviously, I have really struggled with this stuff and have talked at length with many people about it.

But I think the one question that got me thinking the most was this one: "Are you serving the church because it's a job you're addicted to, or because it's your God that your addicted to?"

That could be the most pointed question about this whole thing. Why do you do it? Is it a job or is it your personal offering to God? And to that end I ask myself this...If I say no to someone, am I being selfish or unloving to them and does that reflect on my love for God? This to me is a huge struggle, I think mostly because I know I love God, and I know that part of showing Him love is serving others, but not just that but loving people. I love people as well. (I feel like Goldmember here, "I lowve Gooooolllllldddd.") Seriously, I really want to serve others and love others.

The still remaining question is, when to say when? When is it OK to say no, I know so many people who deal with this very issue. It isn't just in ministry, it is everywhere. Is this a bigger issue that has more to do with not compartmentalizing Christ? I am not sure, I would like to believe living a life like Christ's is a goal for me each day, and I live to sacrifice my entire life to him. This reminds me of the skit that Randy Gill did at Zoe, "The One More Thing Ministry" where what we all need is just "one more thing" These questions remain as I don't have all the answers. I pray in time I will.

More Like Jesus...

2005-01-27T10:13:00.000-06:00

No doubt the Zoe Conference was a major encouragement to me, I feel so much better. It is interesting to me that the theme was Desperate, and I was "desperate" to be there. That just shows you how badly I needed to be refueled and renewed. I was, and here I am. It was really nice to meet some of the people face to face that I had met either through blogs or through worshipforum. I really appreciated Tim and Nena Castle and their beautiful kids, as well as Owen and Dorothy Burgess. These two families took me in like their own and encouraged me more than they will ever know, in addition to all the folks from Bakersfield. It is so awesome to know that family is everywhere. These people truly are like family to me. I am so thankful to God for this thing we call the church. It is when you are out of your element that you most feel the blessings of your brothers and sisters. My flights were great. Well, not in the sense of being comfortable on them, but great. For instance I was flying from Mobile to Fresno, so I had to fly through Atlanta and Salt Lake City. No treasure there, My flight out of Atlanta to Salt Lake was two hours behind which meant that I had to sit and wait for it. That wasn't so bad until I found out I would miss my connection and have to spend the night in Salt Lake. Not happy, but nonetheless they were great, even though on the four hour flight to Salt Lake (which was packed) I sat by a lady who really should have had two seats for herself, I found my sardined up next to the inside window of the plane for four hours, almost unable to move, I am not exaggerating here. It wa the most uncomfortable thing I have ever been though. It was still great. My fun in flight forced me to read. I desperatley needed some catch up time an I got some. I read two book over the weekend. 1- "A Generous Orthodoxy" - Brian McLaren, 2- "Do They Run When They See You Coming" - Jonathan McKee. Two books which helped me redefine my focus. That is is this: Love People as Jesus Did. Stop being about administration and programs and start being more about people. That is my new deal. I know most people think well when you are in ministry then you always are about people = well sorta, but not neccesarily. I have found myself more worried about doing a media presentation then going to a kids game. Or focused on set up so much for Wednesday nights that I forget to go and invite the kids. This is my new way of life more about people less about programs. I feel renewed and ready. I have some ideas and thoughts that are probably going to get me in trouble but, being somewhat radical in the eyes of our modern day pharisees would make me "more like Jesus" wouldn't it?

I guess I am just not feeling it right now...

2005-01-19T08:36:00.000-06:00

Yeah, for some reason I have just not felt like making blogging an important part of my life in recent days. Although I have been busy the last couple of weeks and it gets no better really ever. I am sure that if I really wanted to blog I could have made some time. I just haven't been feeling it lately, if you know what I mean. Regardless here I am.

I have been trying to nail some things down this week as I am leaving tomorrow for Fresno, CA, I am really excited to get to go the Zoe Conference, I feel like I have much to prepare for. While I am excited I am a little sad, I hate leaving my family, and it seems like I spend too much time away from them. My wife is an awesome woman and she is so beautiful and encouraging and loving, and my daughter Hayden - she has grown up so much and I love her so. I am thankful for a beautiful family that I want to be with. God has blessed me in so many ways. God is good!

On the other hand Wednesday's are so trying for me, I am always so excited for our Wednesday night gathering, but by the end of the night I am absolutely out of gas. Honestly, I have been out of gas for a few weeks, and have desperately been in need of some renewal and refueling. I need it for me, and for my family and our church. So, from that point of view I am looking forward to, as one of our shepherds said to me just "getting on a plane."

Thanks to John Dobbs for prodding me along a bit. Hopefully I will be back here soon. Blessings to all.

What's New...?

2005-01-01T10:54:00.000-06:00

Nothing really, the new year I think for most people ushers in the same old thing. New Year's resolutions that are really just as old as last year, unfinished, incomplete. Some of which never get started. I am trying to take my resolutions seriously this year (I am sure I say that every year) really I am. My wife woke me up this morning to, "OK let's go excercise" Yipppeeee!!! Boy, I can't wait, ugh!

So I will begin, new years - snoo years. I'm kidding, there is just something about a fresh start, a fresh opportunity, in my mind and heart I feel the chance to begin again in many ways. And this year I have many "new" things in front of me already, I'm nervous about some of these and excited all at the same time, in time I will share more. I am pumped to see what God is going to use me to do next year, and which ways he will share His love with me.

In other news, I just registered for the Zoe Conference in Fresno in three weeks, I am kind of pumped about this. I was supposed to go to Nashvegas in September, but that didn't happen, so...here we are. Anyone want to go or going? Chime in.

I will ask you to please be in prayer for me this week, and forward, because I have some things that seem to be opening up and changing and opportunities that seem to be presenting themselves that I have no idea what to do with them. I hope that you have a safe and blessed new year, may God shine His face upon you and your families! God bless!

This is good....

2004-12-17T15:09:00.000-06:00

Much to say, too little time to say it....Probably because I was too busy reading John Dobbs blog! You should read it too...

Out Here, Hope Remains

Can you hear the sirens?

2004-12-14T10:09:00.000-06:00

OK. So based on my last post I have to do something.

I mentioned the police officers in the resturant and it reminded me of when I was a teen growing up in our church in a Tampa. There was a man there, actually he is still there. He is the one we used to all call the "church police" you know the type, the one who goes around asking people to be quiet all the time, the one who anoints himself "in charge" of all of our services. The guy with ALL the answers and all the opinions. Classic.

I remember one time when we were having a fellowship meal at church and this person (we'll call Bill, to protect the gulity) was doing his usual rounds when he went into the auditorium to find two teens eating. THE HORROR!!! He promptly escorted them to their parents where he explained that we were not allowed to eat in the auditorium, to which the parents replied, "thanks officer." I think like fifty people just died laughing.

There were many stories, even better ones actually. But this is what I am talking about, you know the whole "we don't praise the Lord here" thing. Yeah that's it.

I probably don't have enough people frequent here to get very much response, but I would love to still hear the funny stories that you have, or even the sad and not so funny ones. That seems to be more of the norm when it comes to this but I am interested to know. So let me have it!

We made it, and so much more...

2004-12-13T13:36:00.000-06:00

Well yesterday was an awesome day! We had a great time with our Sleigh ride with Santa. Bob Buxton does an awesome Santa. Actually I think down the line somewhere Bob and Santa might actually be related, it's kind of eerie, but cool!
We had tons of people from the community show up for pictures, I am so thankful to God for what He is doing through our events, I really see good things happening so many new families in our neighborhood coming and seeing what we are all about. Good stuff!

Hayden wanted nothing to do with Santa. Not interested. No matter how many cookies and crackers you coaxed her with, sorry. I'll try and throw up a picture of "the battle of Hayden and Santa" later.

After our "Santa time" we did our first ever, very small scale Christmas show/cantata/notsureofatermthatproperlydescribesit. It's not really a show I just don't know what else to call it. We called it Christmas in Song. It was fun, we had a group of singers get up and sing some Christmas songs and do some other entertaining stuff. We sang this one song called "Dozen Days of Christmas" - it's hilarious. It was a neat experience, it is so exciting to be on the ground floor at Port City. Even though there are days when I wish we were doing "this or that." I know I will look back in just a couple of years and say, "Wow, God look how far you've brought us." Next year we are hoping to actually do a real show - BST, should I start the planning now? Yikes, help us (me)!
That was the reason we did what we did this year. We have people who were surprised at the fact that we had people singing from the stage. One of our singers came up to me later and said, "I don't remember you telling us we were going to do this chorus style. My Daddy would turn over in his grave if he knew...No he wouldn't he was cremated." I almost fell out, she then went on to say - "Thanks for continuing to stretch us." Words I never thought she would say to me, but I really appreciated them.

My weekend overall was very busy, actually I spent all of Saturday working with a couple of other men to get our auditorium switched around, from shot-gun style to fan shaped, we were at the building until 3:30AM Sunday, hanging screens and projectors and ugh! Welcome to life in a small church, with no moola. It was worth it though, I cannot explain the feeling of community that we have now. We had the same feeling before we moved in to our building but lost it when we went shot-gun style, thanks be to God it is now back and so encouraging.

One final note. Today Bruce and I went to Tiny Diny for lunch, this place is a treat, we love going there. The service is OK, the food is OK, but there is just something about it. I think it has to do with the fact that when I first came to Mobile, it was a PV/UB tradition for many years every Tuesday Brother Simmons took the entire staff to Tiny Diny for lunch. I missed that when I left UB ( I actually just miss Brother Simmons)

When Bruce and I sat down I noticed that the man behind us kept staring at us, it was strange, he just wouldn't quit staring and I just couldn't figure out why. So, I just went about my business, and then with a loud "I am not going to be quiet for anyone" he starts saying "I just don't know what we are going to do with these darn liberals, they are ruining the church!"

So now I get it, the stare that is. It didn't end there, he went on.."I tell you we need get some folks out in to the mission fields like at Pepperdine and Lipscomb to handle this stuff, the church is going to be ruined." Bruce and I just went about our business, talking about how excited we were about where were going and where God was leading us. I had never seen that man before, but he obviously knew us, and that's OK. I just pray that we were the only ones that heard him. He wasn't directing to us, he was directing it at us. He made some other sad comments that show immaturity in his relationship with God and his understanding of scripture, some so amazing they don't deserve to be repeated.
As he left he and his friend (they were police officers) just kept their eyes on us as they exited. I am sure some people thought we were criminals the way we were looked at. I will pray for those two men, that's all I can do.

With that happening though it made me think, it actually made me thank. I was thankful to God that we were making enough difference that people around us were upset about it. It kind of sort of reminded me of this:

Acts 17
1When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.
5But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jasons house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,

This was an answered prayer in some ways, because I have found out over the last few months that Satan attacks the most when you are doing something right. I am not sure if that could be considered modern day persecution or not, but I would gladly endure it every day if it meant God's work was being done. God bless!

And just like that...

2004-12-08T10:59:00.000-06:00

The campaign has yielded its first fruits, we recieved our first committments. I feel really good about where it took us. I have a feeling we aren't completely done yet though. I expect to see a lot more actually, God has blessed us yet, I know he wants to do more, but we must merely ask him. That we will.

This last weekend was crazy for me, this week and next will be even crazier, but I am OK with it, I have decided it is time for me to actually start taking a day off each week. Before I got into ministry, I wouldn't have had it any other way, but for some reason since my start in ministry, oh how long ago, I can't stop doing the things I feel God is calling me to do. It's somehow strange to me. I feel God working here, it is really cool but somewhat scary. I just feel the need to just keep going and doing, you know:

See one more person
Call another parent
Come up with another connecttion point
Encourage another ministry leader
Plan another event and delegate the work

That's my current nutshell, that's what I do - it just cycles over and over again. It is exciting but yet I do not want to burn out doing it. Referring to Mike Cope's blog I actually am trying to be about kingdom business.

On another note I was crushed yesterday by something I can't really lay here, but it was pretty devastating. Basically someone being upset with me because they felt that I let them down and they were going to have to struggle to deal with it, when I wasn't aware I was fully committed like they insisted. An obvious communication breakdown....So saddening, I pray it doesn't cost me a friendship.

May God bless you on your journey today!

2004-12-06T18:43:00.000-06:00

Hayden' Birthday party - we like cake!

2004-12-06T18:42:00.000-06:00

Mommy and Messy Baby - headed to the tub!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2004-12-02T20:35:00.000-06:00

Today is my sweet Hayden's 1 year birthday! God is so good. I will post some pictures later of her, we had a great time with her. What a special child! Tonight I found myself (for the second night in a row) just sobbing in prayer to God. Although, tonight it was about Hayden, I can't remember life without her, she is God's gift to Susan and I. I am so thankful.

Father, thank you - those words are not enough to tell you how much I appreciate my daughter. I am so undeserving and unworthy of such a beautiful gift from Heaven. May I be to her a fraction of the father you have been to me. May I raise her to basque herself in your love and in your ways. May I train her to be a true follower of Jesus in the purest sense. Please allow me to show her an example of love, truth, faith, and encouragement. Help me to hold my priorities in the right way that she may see who you are in my eyes.. Thank you, I love you!!! Amen.

Victory!

2004-12-01T22:46:00.000-06:00

This Sunday is "Victory Sunday" at Port City. I am so ready for us to get there. We are trying to raise 1 million dollars, and I know it doesn't seem like much but for a church who has only been in existence one year it's a huge undertaking. I know God's will, will be done here, but I do feel we are at a Crossroads of sorts, it's exciting, I'm nervous but I trust Him.

Tonight, we had a prayer gathering in place of our typical service and class time. It was awesome, I really felt the Spirit there among us, it was undeniably a powerful night. I know some of our people really struggle with the types of things we are doing, like having an emotional night of sharing and praying, just laying it out there, claiming his promises, calling out to him and holding back nothing. Since Bruce was out of town I had to basically "be in charge" or direct our night. I literally prepared nothing, I wanted to really allow God to speak through me, not my words but His. At one point I found myself in tears, just crying, sharing a story from my past and from how God brought Susan and I to Mobile. All of those who prayed just really touched everyone. Jerre Bryant said a few words and just was so encouraging, he shared the story of Pete Maravich and James Dobson, and talked about James Dobson's comment to his son, saying basically, in the end all that matters is that you "Be There." To me that is what this campaign is all about, helping people "be there."

Give to Save, in it's truest since, we should give so that what we have can be used to help to reach others. A true statement of discipleship in my humble opinion. As "they sold all of their belongings and each one shared." what a profound thought. Isn't that what it is all about? I think so, just open and honest sharing of our hearts, minds, riches....
The term sharing in general makes many shudder I know, myself included. Tonight we had a victory regardless of what Sunday holds...I know God will be there and He has already won and we have claimed "Victory!"

Whew!!!!

2004-11-22T08:54:00.000-06:00

What a weekend we had, our retreat was awesome. I find myself sitting at my computer absoulutely exhausted. I feel like I have been (here comes one of my favorite lines) "rode hard and put away wet." I am tired, but amazingly refreshed and ready to rock and roll. I have a lot to do over the next couple of days, the only problem is I am so sick!

Challengepoint did an awesome job with our kids this weekend! I'll admit this is a shamless plug for these guys, but they are worth every penny. My teens came home pumped and different. I couldn't ask for anything more, the only thing I hate is that the ones who missed the weekend will continue to be apathetic and unplugged, the good news is our kids are so pumped right now and they want everyone plugged in, so we'll have to wait and see wait God does, he is good!

Since I am suffering from extreme exhaustion and still have to plan our Christmas concert and festivities, not to mention games for Last Hour, and sign ups for the same. I'm out! God bless!

Something to build on...

2004-11-16T11:21:00.000-06:00

I found myself very thankful yesterday, it was one of those days when you just kind of stop and take it all in and say thanks to God for what he has done.

All of the things with our campaign are moving forward, the video is almost finished and ready to go I am so ready to get this thing out there and know what God is going to do through us! Victory Sunday is December 5th, it's time, I'm ready!
This weekend we head to Gulf Coast Bible camp with about thirty five teens, we will be working with Challengepoint, this is the weekend that I know our kids need, I just hope they all take it and run with it. This will also be Hayden's first event with our youth group, I have totally sheltered her for the first year, I think she is going to have a blast, pray for us!

Sunday morning we will have our worship service at about 12:00 am, our kids don't know it yet, but it should be an awesome experience. I have a great service planned, God is good!

Well back to maximum workload overdrive!

Just trying to move it all along...

2004-11-12T09:58:00.000-06:00

Last night I went to the "All Things New" Tour with some folks from our church. Typically I am not a huge fan of Casting Crowns, or Steven Curtis Chapman, but Chris Tomlin on the other hand...man that was good stuff. I felt so encouraged after worshipping with Chris Tomlin last night. I think that is what I love about him, is that it's all worship! What a great experience!

The only problem with going and worshipping in a setting like that is, Sunday is a rude awakening. Sunday mornings for us have come a long way in a short period of time, and for that I am thankful. Let me say I know that the church isn't to be driven by anyone's wants and whims. But I have a difficult time on Sundays because we still struggle with extremely important issues like, "what if we change the way the auditorium is layed out" or even better "Let's just get rid of the Lord Supper table, we're alreay serving from the back anyway, does that matter?" Sure it does...errrrrrr! Agghhhhhh! I just want to move us all along and become relevant to our time and culture, is that too much to ask? As Steven Curtis Chapman says, I really just want us to start making "much of Jesus" and much less of us! I don't know, this is hard. I feel like each week I face and fight a new battle to prepare us to fight the enemy. The only problem is, is that the enemy ultimately isn't Satan, it's me and us! Why though? Why does spiritual immaturity wreak such havoc on our churches? Why doesn't church autonomy mean self-governed. Why have we made traditions into truth, many of which we got from other denominations (of course you know none of them are going to heaven anyway, but we can borrow traditions like Sunday school and invitations, oh brother!) Why must we fight for these "truths" when they aren't our truths in the first place?'

I know I am ranting, but this is my real world, my reality show. People who are so concerned about comfortability they have forgotten about our mission...Ugh! It's quite sickening, and I know that I am as bad as anyone else, but I just want to be free.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Father free us! Gives us a sense of security that we obviuosly lack, help us to know that your way is not of law, but of love. And it is your desire that we spread that message of love throughout our world. Help us to start in our churches and quickly move into our communities. Let us realize that you must be greater and we must become less! Amen.

On the Road Again....

2004-11-08T19:22:00.000-06:00

Yep, Hayden is off to the races, she is definitely walking. It seems like it happened over night. She started taking little steps in September and by the end of last month she was flying! Everytime we let her go I hear Willie Nelson singing "On the road again..." It is so amazing to watch the little one from my own flesh and blood do what she does and be who she is. Yesterday morning we had an awesome worship service, we are just starting to use testimonies in our worship and it is really going well. Dale Holden got up and talked about his connection with God and his thoughts on our church, it was encouraging! After that I began to lead A New Anointing and out of the corner of my eye I see Susan kind of hunched over headed up the isle. Before I could see what she was really doing there Hayden, headed to the stage going, "YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA.....DADA! I was so tempted to just grab her and let her help me in leading! It was so awesome to see. Susan was able to corral her and take her to the back where I later found out we had a huge suprise waiting (Mom's you know what I mean)! Thank you Lord for your goodness! She is making life so exciting!

On another note I realized last week, that I have a problem. I am not sure how to deal with it. I am going to be very vague, so bear with me.
Let me start by asking. Anyone ever heard of the Emperor's New Clothes? You know the one where the emperor has no clothes on and everyone acts like he does and says they like them. Yeah it's one of those. Only there's a twist and nobody's running around in the buff.
See, There's a problem, I know it's a problem, a bunch others know it's a problem, but most people have no idea, but it's a serious issue and the other ones who know of it apparently think, "It's no big deal." In my heart of hearts though and in my very special coc upbringing (and actually it doesn't matter what denominiation you were brought up in) it's a huge problem. Somehow the people around me don't think it's even a big deal. Although I don't think they realize it's severity and I am not technically at liberty to share it.

My request:

Please pray for me and my issue, God really knows it well, we've talked about it alot!!! I know I am not sharing it right now, maybe someday I can. Please just pray that God will do what he wants done, and not me or anyone else! Off to study, I won't be so long next time! God bless!

God is working!!!

2004-10-25T21:45:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some of the reasons to rejoice that I have experienced recently, just great stuff.

There was a short period after that, where Satan really focused on bringing me down. He did a good job, until I finally gave it all up to God and told Satan to step off! The most amazing thing happened. Last week I baptized two more teens! That is two more souls that God has brought in to His fold. I am so amazed, by how God works.
On Thursday I had another frustrating day, I was so frustrated because some of the people in our church won't just get on board with some of the containers we want to use to hold the truth in. Our shepherds had to deal with some of this and I was told what we needed to do to get things going, and to patiently wade through some of it. Obviously what I was told was not what I wanted to hear. A disappointing end to my week.

And then Sunday came. Wow! Did it come! Yesterday was the best worship service we had ever had at Port City, we had the whole church up on their feet just clapping and singing, this had never happened before. What a blessing. I felt so in tune with the Spirit during the whole day yesterday, I know He was moving amongst our people.

Last night we had our Fall Festival, we had five new families say they were going to join us on Sunday for worship next week. It was so cool to see so many from the community come and visit with us and have a good time!

I am amazed at how easily Satan gets me down, but when Satan brings me down God blasts me off! What an awesome God we serve!!!

Thank you Father for being my God, and not forsaking me. Even though I am so good at turning my back on you! You pull me through each day and help me to walk with you. I love you because you love me. Thank you for never letting me go and holding me in your everlasting arms...Please keep Satan away as we head into forty days of prayer at Port City, may we do the things in our Give to Save campaign that you want us to! I love you! Amen.

Reasons to Rejoice

2004-10-19T15:25:00.000-05:00

I know that I haven't really posted in a while. I am making a new committment to do a better job. I really am just extremely busy.

So here it is:

In the last month we have had three new baptisms and I am anticipating another one tomorrow night and one next week! I don't have much to say but I just wanted to come out and say thank you to God for his great power and blessing in our ministry! I am so thankful! God is good!

Also two weeks ago we had over 140 people show up for our 5th Quarter at Port City, this week we will do it again. I hope and pray that God will bless this next event. Please pray for us!

God thank you so much for blessing us! I pray that you will continue to strengthen us and encourage all of the teens finding your Son in our midst! You are great and awesome! Thank you for your holy ways, and encouraging and building us up, that we may be a stronger tool for you! Amen!

I am not sure where it went...

2004-10-07T20:10:00.000-05:00

I have been meaning to blog for the last two weeks, yes I know it has been two weeks, I have just been absolutely crazy busy. Funny how that is always my excuse, but I promise it's always true. The last two weeks have been crazy and maybe at some point I will be specific, but here are some highlights:

1- Last week was MCS homecoming and while that means most of nothing to most people, it means a lot to me. What it meant to me...

Missing Zoe (I actually signed up to go in June, and well let's just say that homecoming just killed that for me) I have heard it was awesome and some from our church went and said it was great, I am so frustrated about missing, but my week made up for it.
Being involved at MCS is something is really important to my ministry and since it is a "christian" school and I use that litely, only about 50 percent of the kids are Christians or call themselves so. Of course there is the designation for many that says that only actually 30% of the kids are Christians because they are coc'ers. I don't buy that jive for a minute.
I work as the co-sponsor of the SGA at MCS and the kids are awesome, and we handle all of the homecoming events.
I get to spend tons of time with good kids who are searching, and that is what it's all about to me.
I get to have fun with them and get to have influence in many kids lives, by doing things such as: announcing almost anything goes, singing a silly parity song to the Miss America Theme for the Homecoming King crowning (that was hilarious, I think a new tradition)
I am blessesd by spending time with kids who inspire and encourage me in ways they will never know.

2- In the midst of our fundraising campaign, which I am not having fun with.Although I think it is going to do it's job from a faith building standpoint.

3- Dealing with the issues of teenage drinking, some of my own. This isn't a highlight, but a lowlight, please pray for us.

4- Setting up for our very first 5th Quarter which happens tomorrow night! I am pumped!

There is so much more, but no more time! More to come very soon..(I mean it)

I've been meaning to...

2004-09-25T21:26:00.000-05:00

I have been meaning to sit down and blog for days, but since dealing with Ivan last week for many reasons I have not been able to.

Tomorrow is an exciting day at Port City, we begin a brand new building campaign and I am very excited. I am excited about our theme it is, "Give to Save," the idea is less about buildings and more about truly reaching our community. My prayer is that it will help to bring our congregation into a better understanding of what we have to be in our area to reach our community and give everyone a chance to be involved on many levels! How exciting! Ray Fulenwider is here with us, actually staying with Susan and I, we have had a great time today. He is an awesome guy and I really appreciate his openness and focus on the church's need to be relevant in it's community!

Tomorrow will be wild and action packed, a full day affair - as most of my Sundays are. I am not sure what it is, but Sundays give me a rush, I love them. I am so thankful God has allowed me to serve him this way! He is good all the time!

On another note, some of you have asked me how you can help in regard to Ivan. The city of Mobile actually did pretty well, we had little damage and no major issues. The city of Pensacola on the other hand did not fare so well. There are two churches in the Pensacola area that I am familiar with, that could use assistance, there websites are below. I encourage you to contact them and see how you can help!

Gateway Church of Christ

First City Church

God bless all of you who contacted me, my parents also live in Florida and it looks like they could recieve the brunt of Jeanne, please pray for them as well! Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Father, please be with all of those dealing with Hurricanes past and present. You are the great protector and provider. My prayer is that you will spare the lives of as many as possible. I am so thankful you have spared so many from this time of frustration, please continue to bless us with your presence, understanding and love! Amen.

A good one...

2004-09-19T18:14:00.000-05:00

Today was a great day, our worship service today was shortened it was more like a devotional, I found it very appropriate. We didn't have a praise team or anything today because there was so much other stuff to deal with, but I felt God in our midst today, I could really feel his Spirit moving. I think it was most apparent when one of our leaders took out a writing board to find out what people needs were, right during our service, it was awesome! I am so glad to be a part of such an awesome and open church family. To see people truly being a community and helping, encouraging and loving each other. People giving up their time and talents to serve others in the aftermath of this storm. This is what I think Christ intended His bride to look like. Thank you God!

One other cool note - Susan was downstairs with Hayden this morning and Hayden was playing on the floor, I heard her say "Uh ooooh" Here we go........By the way her laugh is a little taste of heaven! Thank you God for you are good, and kind are all of your ways I love you and thank you for my church family and my physical family! You've been good to me!!

The rest of our story...

2004-09-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

Susan and Hayden and I returned home from Louisiana on Friday. We waited as long as we could take it. On Thursday I had spoken with one of my neighors and she said we had "lot's of yard work to do, but everything else looks good." So we were feeling quite good about ourselves, definiely blessed, but still hurting for those who weren't so fortunate. When we got home it was like we hadn't missed a beat - except the yard. Whooohooo! It was a wreck! The good news we did not have to go without power or water at all. We were so thankful, I guess it pays to live near the hospital.

We both decided we would jump outside today and work on the yard. It took us almost the whole day just to make the front yard semi-organized. We did a lot even though we had to juggle Hayden. It is really hard to get in to a rhythm while working on something like that when you have to deal with an infant, but Hayden is a trooper. Here is the debris pile after just one day of front yard clean up. The important thing is, we were spared and are safe. We thank God for that! Thanks to all of you guys who prayed for us during this scary time in our lives.

This was just the front yard debris.

Two additional things to note:

1- Susan and I both managed to get stung by yellowjackets today. Fortunately Hayden did not. I am sure our neighbors thought we were on heavy perscriptions, yeah that's it.

2- I am so dissapointed in myself. I am not sure how to explain it but, with all of my prayers the last few days I felt like I was using God like a vending machine. I know it sounds funny, but God has been so good to Susan and I, and somehow I am sure he knows I thought he was going to let us down. Even if our house would have demolished, He has never let me down, yes I would have been sad, but I have to remind myself of this -

Luke 9:57-58
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Romans 8:26-28
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.

Great and Awesome God and Father - I thank you for your hand of protection and love. I do not yield to you enough, I do not know you well enough, yet I yearn to be more like you and more intune with you and your spirit. I love you, I am weak, you are strong. It isn't enough for me to search out your heart, may I find it. Thank you for safety, and for the blessing of life and life which was spared. Please be with those hurting so badly at this time. Only your hand can heal them and give them what they need!!! I am yours Father to use, to mold and to care for. Please understand when I am weak, and every day when I fail you! I love you! Amen

Ivan the Horrible...

2004-09-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

Monday night Susan and I realized that we were going to be dealing with a nasty Wednesday and Thursday in regard to the hurricane. We decided to go ahead and put gas in both of our cars and pick up many items to eat assuming things were bad and we lost power and water. As we prepared we saw people running scared, people were crazy. I have never seen people in the store acting like they were. Target was an interesting place, to say the least. We decided not to try and board up our house because our house is so high and there are so many windows we just felt like the cost and the time and effort might not be worth it ( I know that sounds crazy, but in the light of finding enough supplies, the time it would take to find them and put it on the house, we would probably be doing it still today, especially since it wouldn't matter if one of the many trees happened to fall on our house) So, we decided to get ready and hope for the best.

Tuesday was a very difficult day for Susan and I. I got up a lot earlier that morning than I typically would have. Susan and I were extremely focused on being prepared for the hurricane. She had to go ahead and go to school and spend time preparing until noon that day, so I kept Hayden with me and we did a few more errands. I decided about ten o'clock Tuesday morning after talking with a few people around us that Susan and I needed to forget about staying in town, when she got home around 12:30 she agreed, we began to pack and put away as much of our stuff as possible. We wrapped things and put them into dresser drawers, moved our valuables - mainly pictures and other items - in to a downstairs closet underneath the stairwell. As soon as we were finished we packed up some clothes and important things and hit the road. We were headed to West Monroe, LA. I guess we left home at about 4:20 it was rough, I have never seen traffic like this in my life, thankfully we thought to bring a few DVD's and we just watched movie after movie as we crawled through Alabama and Mississippi. We finally got into West Monroe at 2:00AM I couldn't believe it had taken us 10 hours.

We were exhausted when we got to town, we came in and stayed with some family and we were glad to see them, just not on the circumstances. Susan and I spent Wednesday just hanging around at the mall and WalMart stocking up on extra supplies for when we got home, faced with the fact that we might have nothing left when we got back. I would say that both of us spent the day and night quite prayerful, not that we aren't already prayerful people, but I guess we both felt like we were in continual prayer that day, A day long conversation with God. The whole thing was difficult to think about.

We tried to get ready for the night. Susan and Hayden went to bed, but I couldn't. I stayed up trying to keep and eye on the storm and just continually letting it all go. I finally went to bed. When I got up we had heard that basically our area was spared. I talked to one of our neighbors who rode it out. She said that from what she could tell we had no damage. GOD IS GOOD!!! We are leaving this morning to go home and find out what issues we do have, I will update then.

Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for us and our families, church, and community. It appears that overall Mobile was spared, PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR THE SURROUNDING AREAS. Others did not fare as well as we did. We are just thankful that we are all safe. God bless!

When I grow up...

2004-09-13T14:51:00.000-05:00

We had a great worship service yesterday, some little issues, but I think things are going well. We have much to figure out over the next few weeks, yet I am excited. One thing came to mind today when I was reading Mike Cope's blog.
We have a little boy at church named Eric who might be one of the sweetest and most inspiring little people I have ever met. Eric, doesn't have it all together (as none of us do, although we may think so) he is nine. Eric is such an awesome kid - he has Autism. I love Eric, because of his sincerity, when we are in worship together, he leads all those who clap during worship and is the best at it, that is expressing his love for the Lord. He is so sweet and ultimately awe-inspiring. Honestly, I think it is because what you see is what you get with Eric in an extra dose due to his autism and age. He's a great kid, someday I want to grow up and be just like Eric.

Lord, May I have Eric's heart and his willingness to lead from his seat and to love without care or thought of what people might "think."

Which is it today?

2004-09-10T15:05:00.000-05:00

Some days I feel quite overwhelmed, some days I feel discouraged, some days I am totally on fire and pumped about what God is trying to do in my life and Mobile. I have tried so hard to combat this up and downess. I began to pray that God would help me to overcome this issue and the last few days I have gotten up and asked myslef, "Which is it today?" It is like I heard someone say once, you can get up everyday and say, "Good Lord, it's morning". Or you can get up and say, "Good Morning Lord!" I am trying depserately to do the latter each day, because I have so much to do, I can't afford to be discouraged at all.

Well, this morning Satan was on his toes, and I jumped out of bed and said a "Good Morning Lord" and nice prayer to help me be focused and ready to take on any new challenge. I spent my little bit of time with Hayden before Day Care this morning and we had a blast - more on that later. I put her down for her short nap and she got up and I went to get my keys to get in the car to take her.

Well, last night Susan and I had gone up to the building, she and some of the other ladies have been sweatin' to the oldies or doing Taebo (Billy Blanks doesn't like me) or Pilatis (is that even close?) or something, either way excercising. I went up there to work with Woody Turnbow on worship projection and show him some things that he can do to help us be more effecient in our worship program. Susan decides that she isn't going to bring any of her stuff, no purse, no keys, no nuthin - as we say in LA. And so she was finished with the ladies and wanted to take herself and Hayden on home. So I gladly handed over my keys and asked Woody just to bring me home. He gladly said, "sure."

Back to this morning, that was the last time I had seen my keys, I couldn't find them this morning, nowhere, not in the house as far as I was concerned, so I called Susan and said, "You've done it again," this isn't the first time this has happened. So I called Margaret at the church building and she went to Susan's school and picked up keys, shortly after Susan calls me and says, " I don't have your keys in my purse, I gave Margaret my keys, you'll have to come get me after school." So I commense a new search, I called the Police, SBI, and FBI. To make an even longer story shorter, my keys were in the bottom of the only bag Susan took last night, the one that I had never noticed on her person. The bag that I had already (in my mind) thouroughly searched on a just in case check - the diaper bag. Nice try Satan, fortunately I didn't let it mess up my day.

Hayden and I had so much fun today, I love my daughter and am so thankful God gave me the best child in the world and the most beautiful. OK I am going to gloat a bit, I once had someone say, who has a very pretty child, "you're daughter is much more beautiful than my daughter is" Seriously it happened. OK, so now you know how fond I am of Hayden. I love her, she is the real deal, God's gift to Susan and I. Today she and I were downstairs playing when pulled a flower of some fake flowers we have downstairs and brought it to me. How sweet! She is only 9 months old! Things like that help me to decide, "Which is it today?"

Well I have much studying to do.............

More relaxed.....

2004-09-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

I know it is already Wednesday, but I had a great weekend. Susan and I went to Nashville on Friday and had a great time. We really enjoyed seeing our family, while we were there. It is so encouraging to me to take a trip like that one, because it truly allows me to be free of everything. Something that doesn't happen when I am in town, off or not.

We spent some time just hanging out and having fun together, although I did study a little while on the road, which was actually quite productive. We had the chance to attend Otter Creek on Sunday and that was great, we really enjoyed the worship and felt refreshed afterwards. It is so nice to be able to sit in a worship service without demands. It helps me see why some don't ever use their talents. I enjoy serving the Lord in worship though, and can't imagine life apart from it.

I came home with a renewed sense of mission and readiness to do for God whatever he would have me do. I thank Him for the time I was able to have away. The only tough part about being away was the fact that my family is in Florida and they have had to deal with Charley, Frances, and Ivan it looks like. Ugh!!

Oh yeah, one other thing about being away, Susan and I came home to one of our moody cats having urinated and pooped on our tile floor in the kitchen, he is making this a habit. I am not happy, but I have an idea...

CAT FOR SALE - Beautiful White Persian with blue eyes, goes by the name Sebastian. Real sweet disposition. A bit moody. Enjoys peeing on tile floors, sleeping on desks (especially when you want to work) and most notably clawing on carpet. Will take - oh forget it just let me know and you can have him...

That should do it.

On another note, I had lunch with John Mark Smith yesterday. I really enjoyed our time together. I really appreciate his encouragement and his heart for the Lord.

Father, thank you for sustaining us when we need you the most. Thank you for giving us hope when there is none and life when we don't deserve it. Thank you for being the one who openly shares your kingdom and blessings with us. Please be with all of those dealing with hurricane damage and loss, only you can heal those hurts. We love you!! Amen.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

2004-09-07T09:20:00.000-05:00

Yep. that is how I am feeling right now. Over the weekend Susan and I went up to Nashville to spend time with family and friends. Lo and behold, I am exhausted, but I feel good. Sometimes I think though I need a vacation from my vacation, you know?
I gotta run now, but much to say when I return....

Here's Johnny....(OK My name is not really Johnny)

2004-09-03T10:54:00.000-05:00

Althought this week I have felt like Johnny on the spot. The week started so crazily from Monday on. We started out by having Ray Fulenwider come in to talk to us about starting our new fundraising campaign. We have just finished the process of having some new drawings done to build a new education facility, new teen area (uh thank you) and a new lobby on to the auditorium, lot's of work to say the least...not to mention parking and gym renovation.

Since then I have felt like we have run crazy from one meeting to the next. One of the best things though is that through out this craziness we have had an amazing week. God has been with us and blessed us. I know that he is getting ready to do (and has already done) some awesome stuff here in Mobile.

On Wednesday night at "The Calling" we had such an awesome time. We had fifteen of our teens respond for prayers and one baptism. WOW!!! God is good!

Susan and I are thinking of heading to Nashvegas this weekend to see family and just hang out. Since SonQuest was cancelled due to Frances. More to come later....

Father, Thank you for everything that is a blessing. Even those things which don't look so good are blessings from you many times. Thanks for supporting, encouraging, and loving us. Never leaving us to fend for ourselves. Thank you for Ryan Schumann and his decision to accept your love and your Son as his Savior!! We love you. Amen!!!

I wish I was a slacker

2004-09-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

Ok Not really, but I say that because at least if I was a real slacker, I wouldn't feel so badly about neglecting my blog which I desperately need to do (for my sake of course, sorry John) I have so much to say but right now, baby is crying, I will be back!!!

Mootsie

2004-08-27T20:27:00.000-05:00

Hayden Julianne

Yep! I have pretty much been dying to post a picture of ole' Mootsie on the old blog, and I finally did! I will definitely do it more often. Isn't she totally awesome? This was just this morning. Hayden and I usually spend some time together every morning. As the routine goes, Susan gets up with her at about 6:30, I usually get up about 7:00 (you know how important that half hour is). Susan leaves for school at 7:20 and then it's just the two of us, unitl about 9:30 or 10:00. We have so much fun together! I love my mootsie so much!!!

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!!